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Tasman spirit oil spill in Pakistan: Research response and lessons learned
Author(s) -
Janjua Naveed Z.,
Kadir Muhammad M.,
Lutfi Shahid,
Tipre Meghan,
Sathiakumar Nalini
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22039
Subject(s) - medicine , oil spill , perspective (graphical) , developing country , public health , public relations , engineering ethics , outcome (game theory) , mechanism (biology) , environmental protection , nursing , economic growth , political science , engineering , environmental science , mathematics , mathematical economics , artificial intelligence , computer science , economics , philosophy , epistemology
Background This article presents lessons learned from an investigation of the acute human health effects of the “Tasman Spirit” oil spill from a perspective of conducting rapid response investigations in developing countries. Methods We reviewed various steps in our investigation, other studies on oil spills in Pakistan and around the world, and reflected upon our discussions and interactions with various stakeholders. Results The article highlights the importance of applying a public health, legal, and ethical framework for conducting rapid response investigations, developing a pre‐established funding mechanism, and addressing study design issues, exposure and outcome measurements, political issues, community engagement, and communication of results. Conclusion There is need to develop ethical and legal framework and funding mechanism for conducting rapid response research in developing countries. A repository of study protocols, validated tools, and laboratory methods for exposure and outcome assessment would be greatly beneficial. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:124–131, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.