Skippers: Comfort-Related Illness

Outbreaks of paralytic shellfish poisoning in humans may occur in epidemic extents after the consumption of mussels, clams, scallops or shellfish. This occurs because the relation to previous sporadic and unpredictable blooms of toxic protista passing their toxin via the food web to marine filter feeders, such as mollusks where the toxin accumulates in high concentrations in the digestive gland, hepatopancreas without harming the vector animal. A natural source caused many incidents where the problem was paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), and these victims had to be rushed to a medical facility. The most frequently reported foodborne disease of chemical nature in the United States is PSP. It just so happens that most of the cases are from southeastern Florida and Hawaii.

For the last 117 years, we have been under constant assault from environmental toxins, in our food, water, air, etc. Experts are reporting, that Environmental Toxins Are Now a Major Health Threat "We are now

Without the use of a “Toxin Handler” to ameliorate the emotional pain, workplace toxicity affects the bottom line of an organization through lost productivity from distraction, debilitating health issues, and attrition (Scholten).

Also depicted in this paper is the type of cancers caused by each chemical and other related health problems associated with each chemical. Finally, the role of government agencies such as FDA, EPA and OSHA in preventing excessive amount or zero amounts of toxic chemicals from entering the environment will be discussed. The last paragraphs will enumerate the inferred conclusion from my research on Agent Orange, DDT and Benzene.

Also depicted in this paper is the type of cancers caused by each chemical and other related health problems associated with each chemical. Finally, the role of government agencies such as FDA, EPA and OSHA in preventing excessive amount or zero amounts of toxic chemicals from entering the environment will be discussed. The last paragraphs will enumerate the inferred conclusion from my research on Agent Orange, DDT and Benzene.

“Unintentional poisoning” has surpassed motor vehicle accidents and is now the leading cause of unintentional injury death in the US (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). The major cause of poisoning

The decision of habitability at the EDA by the DHHS was questionable based on the results of the monitoring studies which raised doubts over the levels of toxic chemicals detected and those not detected. Additionally, there were also doubts over synergistic health effects of multiple toxic chemicals seen in low concentrations.

For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration issues warnings about eating too much seafood, as such toxins can easily assimilate into and injure our bodies as well. (Ch 8, p.

weighs 70 kg. These results do not account for the levels of toxicity in women,

One of the most common incidents of sick boat syndrome is the crew’s exposure to airborne mould spores. Mould colonization growth problems are inherited with any marine vessels regardless of its size or location. The mould’s ability to reproduces by releasing microscopic mould spores into the air can quickly adversely affect the air quality of a vessel. Moulds spores are a respirable concern as the size of the spores ranges from 3 - 10 micrometers in diameter. Breathing air that contains floating mould spores allows the spores to be drawn directly down into the lungs. The spores’ small size allows the spores to travel throughout the vessel and eventually across oceans while riding on air currents. When mould colonies are disturbed by touch

Bioindicators of cold stress syndrome in manatees include advanced emaciation and depletion of fat stores, changes in skin texture, skin lesions, black colored feces, constipation, and dehydration (Bossart et al. 2002). The manatees in this study that stranded during winter in the northern GOM had these same symptoms (Table 4). Manatees with CSS may have other symptoms that are similar to symptoms of phycotoxin exposure, including comprised and suppressed immune system, organ inflammation, and congestion (Bossart et al., 1998, 2002). Necropsy reports revealed four animals had congested tissues consistent with PbTX exposure (Table 4), however, not all of these animals tested positive for PbTX, and congestion may be contributed to cold stress, or secondary infection following cold stress or toxin exposure. Other animals I sampled, which died during summer months, the cause of death was attributed to watercraft and stillbirth. None of these animals had evident gross symptoms unique to phycotoxin exposure. Overlapping symptoms and likelihood of lower level exposure to phycotoxin make it impossible to determine if any of the animals sampled for this study experienced biologically or physiologically meaningful symptoms from exposure to

The effects on the crew from water or food-borne harmful agents are typically more evident to the Skipper’s observations. In many cases, these symptoms are a post-exposure effect that may have occurred several days ago. As a result, this may prove to be difficult to investigate if the illness is a result of items transferred on board the vessel and consumed. Gastral related illnesses require an incubation period until the organism's toxicity is felt by the casualty. Domestic water related sick boat syndrome can be mild in its effects and persist over a long period of time. These mild effects may include diarrhea, bloating, and intestinal cramps. These are frequently observed symptoms associated with gastro-related sick boat syndrome.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is caused by the consumption of the water soluble alkaloid neurotoxin known as saxitoxin from shellfish (mussels, clams, cockles, oysters and scallops) from waters contaminated by Algal blooms. The algal bloom that forms in the water has a fluorescent greenish hue and contains dinoflagellates that produces these neurotoxins and is found in both the temperate and tropical areas. Along with medications, the symptoms of may PSP resolve with the excretion of the toxin. Patients are treated by providing them with respiratory support and fluid therapy.

1c.Independent studies in journals such as Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; Environmental Health Perspectives;American Journal of Public Health; and Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health, as well as reports published by the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that millions of Americans become sick each year from

Is my boat making me sick? Just asking yourself this question immediately causes concern and requires investigation while in the interim a virtual yellow quarantine flag should be raised until answers are discovered. There are three categories of boat sickness to be familiar with before commencing on an investigation. The most known type of boat sickness sailors identify with is sea sickness (mal de mer). The second category of boat sickness is a result of specific marine vessel activities. The third category of boat sickness is triggered by the vessel’s environment. The third category is the least understood and we’ll explore it extensively. However, its important to understand the first two categories and their related symptoms as