Environmental testing involves a wide range of disciplines specific to toxicology.
Aside from collecting static air, water and soil samples and performing accredited
laboratory assessments for contaminants, environmental testing can also involve
substance concentration monitoring over time and the collation of client data from
medical records, questionnaires or health histories. These can be used for assessing
whether or not such evidence corroborates or refutes any toxic endpoints.
Environmental testing can have impacts affecting individuals, communities and even entire states(a)
Environmental testing can encompass source, fate and transport issues involving
petroleum, chemical, radiological and other types of releases. Environmental testing
includes dose-response exposure assessments of humans, fish and game as
well as assessing potential health risks and the consequences of widespread contamination
(such as the 2010 release from the "Deepwater Horizon" undersea well in
the Gulf of Mexico).
Gulf Oil Spill
Ten days after the initial 2010 "Deepwater Horizon" release, TCAS was
called upon to produce objective toxicological risk assessments. Owing to the scale
of the contamination and the unique nature of the release, Dr. Sawyer elected to
recommend independent sampling rather than rely upon data released by BP as early
information was incomplete and did not possess the necessary objectivity. Indeed,
much of the initial data provided by the company was incomplete and highly selective
with respect to locations, depths and matrices.
To improve data quality, Dr. Sawyer brought in and worked closely with Boston Chemical
Data Corp (BCDC)1 which has extensive, generally-recognized
experience conducting high-quality air, water and soil sampling. Biological samples
were collected from dozens of sites bordering the Gulf of Mexico. This operation
covered more than 1,500 miles of coastline in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
and Florida, reaching as far south as the Florida Keys.
The scale of the disaster and the likelihood of massive impending litigation amplified
the necessity for Dr. Sawyer's findings to be regarded as both scientifically credible
and objective. His toxicological reports were publically released, and he was frequently
interviewed during this period by local and national news agencies including
Lisa Meyers of NBC Nightly News.2 This media
coverage ultimately served to raise awareness of specific health risk concerns in
the region.
Dr. Sawyer's investigation had to be conducted using documented methods as he was
tasked with assessing both human health risks and environmental impacts. To those
ends, BCDC's collected samples were sent under secure chain-of-custody to specialized,
accredited laboratories. Upon receipt of the laboratory results, Dr. Sawyer compiled
a series of detailed reports using generally-recognized, peer-reviewed assessment
methods. Dr. Sawyer's assessments also included testing of fish tissue levels for aliphatic
and aromatic hydrocarbons as these were not fully assessed by BP or the government
agencies. The illustrations (below) highlight the locations and number of samples collected
by BCDC and evaluated by TCAS.
Sampling operation conducted by Boston Chemical Data Corp. and assessed by TCAS during the "Deepwater Horizon" release(b)
Locations and number of samples collected by Boston Chemical Data Corp. and assessed by TCAS during the "Deepwater Horizon" release(c)
Summary
The preceding outline of Dr. Sawyer's involvement in the "Deepwater Horizon"
matter serves to illustrate some of the issues an expert toxicologist must objectively
address when conducting an environmentally-oriented exposure assessment. Dr. Sawyer's
findings were widely distributed by our clients with open access to government agencies,
news media and the general population. His reports and findings have been cited
by health professionals on multiple occasions in the years that have followed.
The "Deepwater Horizon" matter demonstrates how a conscientious environmental
sampling and testing regimen, supported by an objective toxicological risk assessment, can reveal measurable
and quantifiable bioaccumulative impacts. These include total petroleum hydrocarbon
(TPH) accumulation in marine life and carcinogenic PAH accumulation in both animals
and the environment. Test results can also serve as benchmarks for acute, subchronic
and chronic toxicity studies, reproductive and carcinogenicity assessments, identification
of chemical disruptors, collation of toxic substance data and other investigative
activities. Subsequent risk assessments may involve determination of fate and transport
issues, extrapolation of toxic endpoints, concentration monitoring, collation of
exposure data, etc. Contributing factors must be compiled and addressed concisely
if the findings are to be regarded as scientifically credible.
Notes and References
-
Boston Chemical Data Corp, Natick, MA
- Dr. Sawyer on NBC Nightly News, "Disaster in the Gulf: Day 102"
Images
- Report cover (redacted) © Copyright 2023 TCAS, LLC.
- TCAS report demonstrative (redacted), graphical image © Copyright
Boston Chemical Data Corp.
- TCAS report demonstrative (redacted), graphical image © Copyright
Boston Chemical Data Corp.