Are there any potential health effects from exposure to oil well fires?
The levels of air pollutants from the oil well fires were confirmed to be much lower than those known to cause either short- or long-term health effects. However, the overall levels of particulate matter from oil well fires and other sources can potentially cause health effects. Potential health risks posed by inhaled particles are determined by the amount of particulate matter in the air, the length of exposure, the ability of the particles to reach various regions of the respiratory tract, and the body’s biological responses to these materials. The largest particles settle in the air passages of the nose and sinuses, with somewhat smaller particles settling in the middle respiratory tract. Still smaller particles can reach the lower respiratory tract in the lungs. Pre-existing breathing conditions (e.g., asthma, lung conditions from smoking) can worsen if very high levels of these particles are inhaled over a long period of time. In general, the risks of adverse health effects from f
