Abstract

Oil spillage has become of increased relevance in recent times because of the magnitude with which it occurs, the effects it has on the environment, and the quality of life of people residing in the affected areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) has drawn the attention of many member states to the burden of non-communicable diseases on the limited resources available to health. Much emphasis has been placed on environmental factors influencing the health of populations. Oil spillage affects both living and non-living components of the environment which in turn affect man directly and indirectly. This paper discusses the health implications of oil spillage, including the gastro-intestinal dermatologic and neurological effects associated with it. It advocates for better environmentally-friendly and sustainable techniques, particularly in resource-limited communities, where the socioeconomic, physical and invariably the health consequences will be least mitigated and most severe. Effective response and mitigation are necessary to cushion the adverse effects of inadvertent spills on the populations around effected regions.

Key words: Oil spillage, health, environment, non-communicable disease, pollution.