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.
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.
Authors: B Suárez; V Lope; B Pérez-Gómez; N Aragonés; F Rodríguez-Artalejo; F Marqués; A Guzmán; L J Viloria; J M Carrasco; J M Martín-Moreno; G López-Abente; M Pollán Journal: Environ Res Date: 2005-11 Impact factor: 6.498
Authors: Sultan Ayoub Meo; Abdul Majeed Al-Drees; Imran M U Meo; Muslim M Al-Saadi; Muhammad Abdul Azeem Journal: Mar Pollut Bull Date: 2007-11-26 Impact factor: 5.553
Authors: Jan-Paul Zock; Gema Rodríguez-Trigo; Francisco Pozo-Rodríguez; Joan A Barberà; Laura Bouso; Yolanda Torralba; Josep M Antó; Federico P Gómez; Carme Fuster; Héctor Verea Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2007-06-07 Impact factor: 21.405