Cleanup Activities Research Articles

Evaluation of the persistence of functional and biological respiratory health effects in clean-up workers 6 years after the Prestige oil spill

Fishermen who had participated in clean-up activities of the Prestige oil spill showed increased bronchial responsiveness and higher levels of respiratory biomarkers 2years later. We aimed to evaluate the persistence of these functional and biological respiratory health effects 6years after clean-up work. In 2008/2009 a follow-up study was done in 230 never-smoking fishermen who had been exposed to clean-up work in 2002/2003 and 87 non-exposed fishermen. Lung function and bronchial responsiveness testing and the determination of respiratory biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate were done identically as in the baseline survey in 2004/2005. Associations between participation in clean-up work and respiratory health parameters were assessed using linear and logistic regression analyses adjusting for sex and age. Information from 158 exposed (69%) and 57 non-exposed (66%) fishermen was obtained. Loss to follow-up in the non-exposed was characterised by less respiratory symptoms at baseline. During the 4-year follow-up period lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the levels of respiratory biomarkers of oxidative stress and growth factors had deteriorated notably more among non-exposed than among exposed. At follow-up, respiratory health indices were similar or better in clean-up workers than in non-exposed. No clear differences between highly exposed and moderately exposed clean-up workers were found. In conclusion, we could not detect long-term respiratory health effects in clean-up workers 6years after the Prestige oil spill. Methodological issues that need to be considered in this type of studies include the choice of a non-exposed control group and limitation of follow-up to subgroups such as never smokers.

The role of an integrated coastal management framework in the long-term restoration of Yundang Lagoon, Xiamen, China

Thirty years ago, Yundang Lagoon, located in the centre of Xiamen in southeast China, was heavily polluted. A series of clean-up projects have been implemented since the 1980s. After three phases of restoration projects, the lagoon's environment quality has improved significantly, although it is not fully restored. Clean-up activities are still ongoing. In 1994, Xiamen became the first city in China to adopt an Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) strategy to address its coastal environmental problems. The restoration of Yundang Lagoon remained a priority and has been a key issue in the development of the city's pollution abatement and environmental management strategy. This study reviews and examines the restoration efforts and management scheme of Yundang Lagoon from 1988 to the present, analyses the environmental changes, explores the challenges of its restoration and analyses the benefits of ICM to its long-term restoration by extracting six key principles. Specific suggestions are proposed for future restoration and management work. Findings from this review may have general implications for decision makers to formulate future sustainability and management strategies on coastal environment restoration programmes.

Health Consequences among Subjects Involved in Gulf Oil Spill Clean-up Activities

BackgroundOil spills are known to affect human health through the exposure of inherent hazardous chemicals such as para-phenols and volatile benzene. This study assessed the adverse health effects of the Gulf oil spill exposure in subjects participating in the clean-up activity along the coast of Louisiana. MethodsThis retrospective study included subjects that had been exposed and unexposed to the oil spill and dispersant. Using medical charts, clinical data including white blood cell count, platelets count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and somatic symptom complaints by the subjects were reviewed and analyzed. ResultsA total of 247 subjects (oil spill exposed, n = 117 and unexposed, n = 130) were included. Hematologic analysis showed that platelet counts (× 103 per μL) were significantly decreased in the exposed group compared with those in the group unexposed to the oil spill (252.1 ± 51.8 vs 269.6 ± 77.3, P = .024). Conversely, the hemoglobin (g per dL) and hematocrit (%) levels were significantly increased among oil spill-exposed subjects compared with the unexposed subjects (P = .000). Similarly, oil spill-exposed subjects had significantly higher levels of ALP (76.3 ± 21.3 vs 61.2 ± 26.9 IU/L, P = .000), AST (31.0 ± 26.3 vs 22.8 ± 11.8 IU/L, P = .004), and ALT (34.8 ± 26.6 vs 29.8 ± 27 IU/L, P = .054) compared with the unexposed subjects. ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that clean-up workers exposed to the oil spill and dispersant experienced significantly altered blood profiles, liver enzymes, and somatic symptoms.

Determining and comparing the levels of heavy metal concentrations in two selected urban river water

This paper discussed the heavy metal pollution levels and the clean-up activities to improve the Gombak and Penchala River water quality in Kuala Lumpur. The Gombak River is a tributary of the Klang River passing through Kuala Lumpur. The Penchala River passes through the city of Petaling Jaya. Metal concentration levels as reported by the Department of Environment of Malaysia were used to assess the state of metal contamination of the rivers. The effectiveness of government efforts through engineering and river works and public awareness campaigns to strive for a healthier Gombak River and Penchala River was observed over a period from 1997 to 2009. Results showed that the concentrations of metals in the Gombak River were generally slightly better than those of the Penchala River. The Penchala River showed a better rate of quality improvement than the Gombak River but the absolute concentration values were generally higher.

Endocrine and immunological parameters in individuals involved in Prestige spill cleanup tasks seven years after the exposure

In November 2002 the oil tanker Prestige spilled 63,000tonnes of heavy oil off the northwest coast of Spain, impacting more than 1000km of coastline. A general concern led to a huge mobilization of human and technical resources, and more than 300,000 people participated in cleanup activities, which lasted up to 10months. Some endocrine and immunological alterations were reported in Prestige oil exposed subjects for several months. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate if these alterations are still present seven years after the exposure. Fifty-four individuals exposed for at least 2months were compared to 50 matched referents. Prolactin and cortisol plasma concentrations, percentages of lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, and CD56+16+), plasma levels of circulating cytokines (interleukin (IL) 2, IL4, IL6, IL10, tumour necrosis factor α, and interferon γ), and serum concentrations of neopterin, tryptophan and kynurenine were determined in peripheral blood samples. Results showed significant differences in exposed individuals vs. referents only in cortisol (increase), kynurenine and %CD16+56+ lymphocytes (both decrease). Time of exposure to the oil or using protective clothes did not influence the results, but effect of using protective mask was observed on neopterin, %CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio and IL4. Surveillance of the exposed individuals for early detection of possible health problems related to the endocrine or immunological systems is recommended.

Extent and Degree of Shoreline Oiling: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Gulf of Mexico, USA

The oil from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico was documented by shoreline assessment teams as stranding on 1,773 km of shoreline. Beaches comprised 50.8%, marshes 44.9%, and other shoreline types 4.3% of the oiled shoreline. Shoreline cleanup activities were authorized on 660 km, or 73.3% of oiled beaches and up to 71 km, or 8.9% of oiled marshes and associated habitats. One year after the spill began, oil remained on 847 km; two years later, oil remained on 687 km, though at much lesser degrees of oiling. For example, shorelines characterized as heavily oiled went from a maximum of 360 km, to 22.4 km one year later, and to 6.4 km two years later. Shoreline cleanup has been conducted to meet habitat-specific cleanup endpoints and will continue until all oiled shoreline segments meet endpoints. The entire shoreline cleanup program has been managed under the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) Program, which is a systematic, objective, and inclusive process to collect data on shoreline oiling conditions and support decision making on appropriate cleanup methods and endpoints. It was a particularly valuable and effective process during such a complex spill.

Recreancy Revisited: Beliefs about Institutional Failure Following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

In 1993, Freudenburg suggested the term “recreancy” to refer to behaviors associated with institutional failures, which he distinguished from the consequences of such failures. This article revisits issues related to recreancy associated with the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Using qualitative data collected in Cordova, Alaska, between 2002 and 2010, we examine notions about recreancy and technological disasters. Findings highlight perceptions of institutional failures associated with the spill and cleanup activities, providing insights into the social consequences of such failures for those most directly affected by them, including loss of ontological security, the emergence of corrosive communities, and diminished social capital. We extend the discussion about recreancy to include organizational processes intended to address economic, social, and environmental consequences of technological disasters. Our data reveal a persistence of beliefs about recreancy associated with the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the subsequent litigation, and their consequences for long-term community impacts.

우리나라 실정에 적합한 해안오염평가기술 요소에 관한 연구

When the shorelines were contaminated by oil, oiled shorelines were assessed systematically by SCAT and guideline of cleanup activities and shorelines treatment endpoints based on SCAT were established and operated in case of well developed countries like USA and Canada. However, shorelines cleanup assessment technique are not established clearly in our country. In this study, we studied on the shorelines cleanup assessment technique suitable for Korean shorelines feature. That is, composition of SCAT organization, classification of shorelines and division of oiled shorelines by segment that are elements of SCAT were studied, and we suggest the measures related to above elements suitable for shorelines feature of our country.

Integrating Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Environmental Cleanup Activities at CERCLA and RCRA Sites

AbstractAlthough the release or threatened release of hazardous substances into the environment often creates liability for both cleanup costs and natural resource damages liability, the process of planning and conducting cleanup and the process of assessing natural resource damages are most often conducted separately. However, the substantial similarities between the two processes often present opportunities to integrate significant steps in each. Such integration has the potential to reduce both the cost of measuring and, often, resolving the full range of environmental claims at a given cleanup site and the time it takes to do so. It can also lead to faster restoration of injured natural resources and the services they provide to the public and the environment. One key reason for the lack of integration is the fact that cleanup managers generally know little if anything about the natural resource damage assessment process, while the public officials authorized to assess damages to natural resources know little about the cleanup process. This article identifies the similarities between the cleanup and natural resource damage assessment processes and provides guidance on when and how to integrate the two. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Petroleum hydrocarbon contaminations in the intertidal seawater after the Hebei Spirit oil spill – Effect of tidal cycle on the TPH concentrations and the chromatographic characterization of seawater extracts

In December 2007, the oil tanker Hebei Spirit released approximately 12,547,000 L of crude oil off the west coast of Korea, impacting more than 375 km of coastline. The seawater TPH concentrations immediately after the spill ranged from 1.5 to 7310 μg L−1, with an average of 732 μg L−1. The concentrations appeared to decrease drastically to 2.0–224 μg L−1 in one month after the spill. The TPH concentrations in seawater fluctuated with time thereafter because of the remobilization of oil by continuing shoreline cleanup activities and subsequent wave/tidal actions. Seawater TPH concentrations were much higher during high tide than during low tide due to the resuspension of stranded oil. The variation of TPH levels in seawater also matched the spring-neap tidal cycle in the study areas for the first three weeks of the study. Comparisons of the gas chromatograms of the seawater with the water accommodated fraction and the cargo oil indicated that seawater samples were contaminated mainly by the dispersed droplets of spilled oil. One year of monitoring revealed that the oil content in seawater had clearly decreased at most sites, although some regional fluctuations of oil contamination were noted until June 2008.

No short-term cytogenetic consequences of Hungarian red mud catastrophe

Red mud is an industrial waste produced in the process of alumina extraction from bauxite with concentrated NaOH. When the red mud-containing reservoir collapsed in Ajka Alumina Plant Hungary in October 2010, the most serious immediate effects were caused by the high alkalinity (pH ≥ 13) of the flood. Many persons suffered burn-like damage to tissues and contact with caustic desiccated ultra-fine dust with traces of toxic metals also caused irritation of upper respiratory tract and eyes. This catastrophe was unique from the point of view of genotoxic effects as well. Therefore cytogenetic examinations were carried out on inhabitants, either with burns (17 persons) or on those inhaling desiccated caustic dust (42 persons). Chromosomal aberration (CA) analysis and bleomycin (BLM)-sensitivity assays, as possible markers of effects, were studied in peripheral blood lymphocytes of persons within 4-6 weeks following the catastrophe. Controls were matched for age, sex and smoking habits, and also places of residence with different constituents of air pollution either from rural (59 persons), or from urban environments (59 persons). Neither spontaneous rate of CAs (1.47% vs. 1.69%) nor BLM-induced in vitro chromosomal breakage (0.79 vs. 0.83 break/cell) showed elevated rates when cytogenetic biomarkers of genotoxicity were compared between controls and exposed persons. Time spent in cleaning did not affect cytogenetic changes either (R(2) = 0.04). BLM-induced mutagen sensitivity was similar in exposed and control persons (27.1% vs. 30.5%). It seems that the red mud exposure does not appear to pose an immediate genotoxic hazard on residents when measured with cytogenetic methods. We recommend, however, that those involved in clean-up activities should be followed closely not only for overall health, but also for further genotoxic risk assessment, because the long-term hazards of ultra-fine fugitive dust particles with alkalinity of residual NaOH in red mud are still unknown.

Moodie and Evans Respond

Despite the charges by Stifelman et al., nowhere do we claim that blood lead levels (BLLs) were used as the sole criterion for cleanup actions at Bunker Hill. Rather, we argue that insofar as BLLs were one of the Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs) specified in the Record of Decision (ROD), this criterion was neither protective nor proactive in reducing risk. The threshold of concern (10 μg/dL) is far too high in light of a mounting body of evidence showing the adverse effect of lead at much lower levels.1–6 In addition, the other RAOs for environmental criteria (e.g., soil, dust, and water contaminant levels) were set at levels much higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) own standards.7 Although Stifelman et al. remain confident about the “protectiveness of the remedy,” this confidence does not equal valid and reliable data. The continued low participation in blood lead screening remains troublesome. In 2010, only 13 of 475 Medicaid children residing in the original Bunker Hill site (otherwise known as the “Box”) were screened; one had a BLL greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter. With less than three percent of Medicaid eligible children screened, let alone the broader population, safe lead exposure levels cannot be claimed. Although Stifelman et al. claim that “[a]chievement of BLLs below the RAO did not—and will not—stop remediation,” in February 2012 the EPA announced a massive scale back of the cleanup efforts at Bunker Hill.8,9 The EPA Region 10 director of environmental cleanup admitted that the work planned under this plan may not be sufficient. Finally, the social justice concerns raised by the use of BLLs (as well as other environmental criteria) as RAOs are not based on the distribution of exposure along socioeconomic lines. To the extent that the residents of Bunker Hill can be considered a vulnerable population (poverty, low educational achievement, and a background of poor health outcomes), exposure to lead increases the risk of adverse health outcomes compared with nondisadvantaged populations. The result is an exacerbation of the existing inequalities that threaten the health and well-being of Bunker Hill residents.

Guidelines for Asbestos Remediation at Italian Superfund Sites

Asbestos is now banned in 52 countries. Although Italy banned asbestos in 1992, up until that date it had been one of the main producer nations of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, and asbestos-related contamination is still widespread in the country. To reduce asbestos-related health effects, Italy has adopted many laws and regulations regarding exposure thresholds and remediation tools. Even so, there are legislative gaps that are making it difficult to manage related risks especially in the operative phase. The lack of standard procedures at a national level regarding emergency shutdown and remediation as well as reference thresholds for specific risk situations creates difficulties and different actions when dealing with the cleanup of Italian asbestos superfund sites. The authors propose operative guidelines for asbestos remediation at Italian superfund sites. INAIL, the reference national organization for asbestos-related matters, acting as an advisor to a number of state, regional, and local authorities, examined the main asbestos-related risk situations in Italy and proposed the most appropriate actions to take. The detailed analysis of many actual cases of risk, in part through inspections and the management of cleanup actions at asbestos Italian superfund sites, resulted in proposals to modify existing procedures and thresholds, which were subsequently discussed with all national, regional, and local scientific bodies. After more than two years of work and discussion at a national level, INAIL-DIPIA-Asbestos Group drafted new Guidelines for Asbestos Remediation at Italian Superfund sites, and officially submitted them to the Environment Ministry. The Ministry then adopted the document in regard to all asbestos Italian superfunds. This recently released document is also a useful reference for contaminated sites at a regional and local level. The operative Guidelines for Asbestos Remediation at Italian Superfund sites may also be of use at an international level for countries that have already banned asbestos and are engaged in remediation activity and for countries that have not yet banned asbestos but wish to adopt risk prevention measures.

Issues and Challenges of Solid Waste Management Practices in Port-Harcourt City, Nigeria- a behavioural perspective

The paper examined the relationship between individual background (sex, age and social class) and the level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management in PortHarcourt city residents. It defines solid waste management as the process of collecting, storing, treatment and disposal of solid wastes in such a way that they are harmless to humans, plants, animals, the ecology and the environment generally. The objective of this research is to ascertain the relationship between individual background (sex, age and social class) and the level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management in Port-Harcourt city residents. The research question addressed the extent of relationship between individual background (sex, age and social class) and the level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management in Port-Harcourt city residents. This research is based on Ajzen (1991) theory of planned behaviour which states that attitude towards behaviour, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control, has influence in predicting the behavioural intention and actual behaviour of individuals when participatory decisions are voluntary and under an individual control. The research assumes that the background (sex, age and social class) of Port-Harcourt city residents influences their attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control thus determining the behavioural intention/actual behaviour i.e. level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management. 800 Port-Harcourt city residents were randomly surveyed from the two local government areas of the city (Port-Harcourt city and Obio/Akpor LGAs) using structured questionnaire. Data collected were subjected to percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test and chi-square statistical analyses. Findings revealed that Port-Harcourt city residents from the sampled zones are aware of solid waste management problems in their environment but possessed poor waste management practices. The study showed that the propensity for solid waste management practices differed by background (sex, social class and age) of residents. Significant relationships were observed between respondents’ sex, age and social class and their level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management. This research therefore recommends among others: sensitization of Port-Harcourt city residents on the dangers of poor solid waste management, provision of near-by solid waste collection points, enactment of waste management laws with stiffer penalties on offenders, establishment of solid waste recycling plants, effective monitoring of waste contractors, provision of more waste evacuation equipment, provision of more solid waste dump sites and effective monitoring of monthly clean-up activities.

Going Green versus Economic Performance

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate some information on what impact pro environmental actions have on countries’ global economic performances. Is there really a trade-off on a macro scale between “going green” and economic performance? The world economy has significantly expanded within the last four decades and started to exceed the Earth’s resources capacity. Many forms of environmental degeneration such as soil erosion, aquifer deficiency, rangeland deterioration, air pollution, and climate change have huge negative impact on the ecosystem. If the world continues to move in this direction, it will eventually destroy its natural support system. The long-term solution to this problem is to apply ecological principles of sustainable economic development. It is commonly known that factors such as decreasing CO2 emission, water maintenance, forestry and agriculture preservation as well as properly managed production processes help preserve our planet’s natural habitat and its climate, but how these activities are related to businesses? During 1960s and 1970s, organizations have mostly rejected their impact on the environment. However, after experiencing international ecological problems, countries came up with a variety of regulations to prevent further environment degradation. Many organizations were forced to accept the responsibility to protect the surroundings they were operating in. Therefore, prevailing assumption appeared that there is a fixed trade-off between ecology and economy. Social benefits that come from strict environmental regulations are placed versus private costs, which are spent for prevention and cleanup activities. Succeeding in one field has to result in other’s failure. In the last decade, however, this view has been increasingly challenged. Moreover, in recent years there has been an increasing advocacy towards a notion that turning green is actually good for the business and thus for the whole economy. By preserving natural resources and creating new quality of environmentally aware management systems, a given country increases its productivity. This in turn allows achieving higher production output given inputs in relation to its less environmentally aware neighbour. In order to check the validity of this theory we apply Bayesian frontier analysis to macroeconomic production function, and incorporate key environmental indicators as explanatory variables of productivity distribution. Our model is estimated based on data from 13 EU countries over the period of 1998-2007. The use of Bayesian inference allows us to check straightforward what explanatory power those indicators have on countries’ productive efficiency and thus on their economic performance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.23.2.1546

Persistent respiratory symptoms in clean-up workers 5 years after the Prestige oil spill

ObjectivesFishermen who had participated in clean-up activities of the Prestige oil spill showed an excess risk of respiratory symptoms 1–2 years later, but the long-term persistence of these health effects...

Erratum: Hebei Spirit Oil Spill Exposure and Subjective Symptoms in Residents Participating in Clean-Up Activities

Erratum: Hebei Spirit Oil Spill Exposure and Subjective Symptoms in Residents Participating in Clean-Up Activities

The Value Relevance of the Recognition of Soil Remediation Costs And Liabilities: Evidence from Japan

This is the first paper to examine the value relevance of soil contamination risk, and the recognition of site clean-up costs and liabilities on the financial statements of Japanese firms. Soil contamination is one of the primary environmental issues confronting Japan in terms of the massive clean-up costs involved. Although Japanese firms are not required to clean-up compulsory unlike US, many firms implement site clean-up activities voluntarily. These actions are against common perception “clean-up doesn’t pay”. Our research provides the evidence that “site clean-up pays” under conditions of accounting recognition. We estimate firm’s soil contamination risk using Pollutant Release and Transfer Register data and examine the relation between the risk and corporate market values. Next, we investigate the impact of corporate activity aimed at preventing soil contamination risk. We also examine whether the recognition of site clean-up costs and liabilities in the firm’s financial statements alleviate the purported negative impact of soil contamination risk on market value. Our market value analysis generates three main findings. First, firm’s soil contamination risk has a negative impact on market value. Second, corporate activity regarding the prevention of soil contamination risk has a positive impact on market value. Finally, the recognition of site clean-up costs and liabilities on financial statements helps alleviate the purported negative impact of soil contamination risk on market value. An important consideration is that we revealed these findings under the unique regulatory environment operating in Japan, one mainly based on corporate voluntary action. This suggests that the market values firm’s clean-up not from any compulsory requirement, but rather from the perspective of voluntary prevention activity, and that the recognition of clean-up costs and liabilities substantially offset any downward valuation from soil contamination risk. We thus assert that the stigma of soil contamination exists, and that prevention of pollution and the recognition of site clean-up costs and liabilities help reduce the stigma for firms and that “clean-up pays.”

Dietary exposure to persistent organic pollutants and metals among Inuit and Chukchi in Russian Arctic Chukotka

Objectives. The general aim was to assess dietary exposure to selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and metals among Eskimo (Inuit) and Chukchi of the Chukotka Peninsula of the Russian Arctic, and to establish recommendations for exposure risk reduction.Study design. A cross-sectional evaluation of nutritional patterns of coastal and inland indigenous peoples of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (in 2001–2003); assessment of the levels of persistent toxic substances (PTSs) in traditional foods and their comparison to Russian food safety limits; the identification of local sources of food contamination; and the recommendation and implementation of risk management measures.Methods. Community-based dietary survey of self reported food frequencies (453 persons), chemical analyses (POPs and metals) of local foods and indoor matters (397 samples), substantiation of recommendations for daily (weekly, monthly) intakes of traditional food.Results. POPs in traditional food items are generally below the Russian food safety limits except marine mammal fat, while Hg and Cd are high mainly in mammal viscera. Lead is relatively low in tissues of all animals studied. For the Chukotka coastal communities, seals constitute the principal source of the whole suite of PTSs considered. Consumption restrictions are recommended for marine and freshwater fish, some wild meats (waterfowl and seal), fats (whale and seal), liver (most animals) and kidney (reindeer, walrus and seal). Evidence is presented that contamination of foodstuffs may be significantly increased during storing/processing/cooking of food due to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions.Conclusions. Based on the analytical findings and the local PTSs sources identified, guidelines on food safety are suggested, as well as measures to reduce food contamination and domestic and local sources. Important and urgent remedial actions are recommended to minimize PTSs environmental and domestic contamination. Waste clean-up activities started in coastal Chukotka in 2007.

Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacts on Alabama beaches

Abstract. From mid June 2010 to early August 2010, the white sandy beaches along Alabama's Gulf coast were inundated with crude oil discharged from the Deepwater Horizon well. The long-term consequences of this environmental catastrophe are still unfolding. Although BP has attempted to clean up some of these beaches, there still exist many unanswered questions regarding the physical, chemical, and ecological state of the oil contaminated beach system. In this paper, we present our understanding of what is known and known to be unknown with regard to the current state of Alabama's beaches in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Motivated by our observations of the evolving distribution of oil in Alabama's beaches and BP's clean-up activities, we offer our thoughts on the lessons learned from this oil spill disaster.