ecosystems. These symptoms are generally dismissed as exaggerations or as downright lies, made in an attempt to win sympathy and compensation.
. . . having our baths in the river, our life-wire, is becoming more and more unbearable; we have scratches on our body and rashes on our skins any time we go into the water.
From an ERA survey made in early 1994
However it is interesting that a report to the Dyfed Powys Health Authority of Wales on the effects of the Sea Empress oil spill on the health of the South Pembrokeshire population indicated increased symptoms and diagnoses similar to those complained of by local people in the Niger Delta.
| HEALTH COMPLAINTS DURING OIL SPILLAGE FROM THE SEA EMPRESS OIL TANKER OFF THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST, 16/2 to 16/3 1996 | |||
| SYMPTOMS/
DIAGNOSIS |
PREVALENCE IN CONTROLS | PREVALENCE IN EXPOSED | SIGNIFICANT? |
| Generally ill | 7.3% | 23.2% | Yes |
| Headache | 12.0% | 32.5% | Yes |
| Nausea | 5.8% | 12.6% | Yes |
| Vomiting | 2.5% | 2.8% | No |
| Diarrhoea | 4.5% | 7.6% | Yes |
| Sore Eyes | 4.9% | 15.6% | Yes |
| Runny Nose | 11.3% | 19.5% | Yes |
| Sore Throat | 10.5% | 26.5% | Yes |
| Cough | 9.6% | 19.1% | Yes |
| Itching Skin | 4.7% | 10.4% | Yes |
| Skin Rash | 2.9% | 6.7% | Yes |
| Blisters | 0.4% | 1.1% | Yes |
| Short Breath | 4.4% | 10.4% | No |
| Weakness | 12.7% | 21.7% | Yes |
The report concludes that the Sea Empress oil spill did result in higher levels of psychological and physical illness in the coastal communities of Pembrokeshire. One of the biggest pipeline spills in recent years was reported in January 1998. It occurred off the Akwa Ibom coast in the pipeline between Mobile's offshore Idoho platform and its Qua Iboe terminal. 40,000 barrels a day were reported to be leaking into the sea resulting in a suspension of all Mobile's supplies to its customers.
15.4.6 SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE OIL INDUSTRY
This is one of the most difficult impacts to assess because so much political subjectivity can creep into the assessment processes. There are four social and political consequences.
