Chour Mareng?s Committee The Minister of Petroleum, Mining & ndustry, Hon. Stephen Dhieu Dau formed this investigating technical committee In consultation with The National Ministry of Health Sept. 10th 2013. The committee 1) Hon. Eng. Chour Mareng Deng. Advisor to the Minister, Chairman. 2) Hon. Dr. Vellario Ahoi Ngong D/Chair MP, Public Health Consultant (Infectious diseases expert). 3) Hon. Dr Majok Yak Majok, Member MP, Public Health expert, former under Secretary Ministry of Health. 4) Hon. Dr. Benjamin Malek Alier, Member MP, Consultant Surgeon, Asst. Professor of Surgery, University of Bahr El Ghazal. 5) Dr. Santino Tito Adipo, Member Pharmacist,an Affliate of Drug and Food Authority. 6) Dr. Mayen Machut Achiek, Member Consultant Surgeon and Asst. Professor of Surgery, University of Juba The Ministry of Health 7) Dr. Kuma Chuol Biel, Member Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist and Asst. Professor Gynaecology, University of Upper Nile. 8) Dr. Pinyi Nyimol Mawien, Member Public Health Consultant Epidemiologist), Associate Director, Ministry of Health. 9) Mr. David Batali Oliver, Member Geologist Environmentalist and Senior Director, Ministry of Environment. 10) Mr Hamoon Chol Deng, Member Raporteur. Public Health expert, Health Safety and Environment Ministry of Petroleum, Mining Industry. mun!- .?wgg?m' . . The Committee members in Paloch The Initial Team Objectives To investigate on the noted increased incidence of unusual health problems( diseases) in the oil producing areas of Upper Nile state and Unity State. Any new diseases to the local communities resulting from the oil production activities. Any health problems of the workforce Any appropriate measures taken to treat new resultant diseases. Have chemicals from the petrol industrial activity entered into the food chain in these areas Z2 To carry out a limited Environmental Audit on soil, water and general Environment in the oil producing areas. To recommend appropriate actions for conducting a full environmental audit in the petroleum production areas. The Initial Investigation - Fact finding missions to: - 1) Upper Nile State Block 3 7 Paloch Area DPOC operating area 2) Unity state Block 1,2 4 Paryang Area GPOC Operating area 3) Unity State Block 5 a, Thar Jath. SPOC Operating Area The Initial Findings 1 Paloch Health problems: Local community say they noted: Increased incidence of abortions Increased incidence of preterm and still births Increased incidence of malformed new born babies that do not live Increased incidence of blindness Increased incidence of blindness Increased incidence of male sexual dysfunction and low fertility. The Initial Findings I1) Paloch Health Problems - Local Community (cont.) - Increased incidence of Diarrheal disease - Increased incidence of febrile illnesses Increased incidence of Joint diseases - Increased incidence of skin allergic diseases on exposure to water and farming. - Local Animals - Cows goats and Dogs: Die in bigger numbers Increased incidence of night blindness in cows and goats Workforce National Expatriate) Increased incidence of Contact dermatitis type skin problems. The Initial Findings Paloch Environment and Safety: Local community safety: Notable number of children and adults drowned in the ponds created by the oil producing companies specially along wells access roads. Domestic animals drowning in the ponds. Notable domestic use of disposed chemicals containers by the local communities eg. water reservoir. No designated solid waste disposal facility,especailly expired chemicals Limited oil spillage around the oil processing areas FPF), Bioremediation is still developing to the desirable environment friendly point. The Investigating team at Work The possible damage to the Environment The Problem of Expired Chemicals Paloch DPOC Base Camp. back Yard nity State Block 1,2 &4 Pariang county (Alieny payam) Rubkona County (wurial payam) Health problems( Alieny &Wuria payams) Local community noted an alarming: Increased incidence of abortions Increased incidence of preterm and still births Increased incidence of malformed new born babies that do not live Increased incidence of blindness of young adults Increased incidence of blindness of cows and goats. Increased incidence of male sexual dysfunction and low fertility. Health problems Local Community (cont.) Increased incidence of Diarrheal disease Increased incidence of febrile illnesses Increased incidence of Joint diseases Increased incidence of skin allergic diseases on exposure to water and farming. Local Animals Cows goats and Dogs: Die in bigger numbers Increased incidence of night blindness in cows and goats Workforce National Expatriate) Increased incidence of Contact dermatitis type skin problems. Environment &Safety Local community safety: Notable number of children and adults drowned in the ponds created by the oil producing companies specially along wells access roads. Domestic animals drowning in the ponds. Notable domestic use of disposed chemicals containers by the local communities eg. water reservoir. Danger of unguarded wells and high voltage electricity posing risks of fires and vandalism. No designated solid waste disposal facility, especailly expired chemicals An alarming oil spillage around some oil processing facilities. A young Nuer Child badly burnt by live electric wire. Rubkona County Unity State. Oil spillage into the open Tomasouth. Oil spillage Mixed with rain water into the canals out side retention ponds, Tomasouth. Members of the Team to Palloclh 1. Hon. Chour Deng Mareng 2. Hon. ehan Michaek Makuei 3. Dr. Kuorwel Kuai Kuorwel 4. Dr. Bior Kuer Bior 5. Dr. Joseph Daniel Wani 6. Dr. Thomas Akim Ujjiga 7. Dr. Zacharia Afram Modi 8. Mr. Angelo Yai Ngor 9. Mr. Hamoon Chol 10. Mr. David Batali Oliver Report on a Suspected Outbreak Investigation at Paloch, lEast Nile State Ministerial Statement In 2016, there were reports of soldiers stationed in Paloch oil?elds presenting strange clinical presentations. To determine the cause of illness to the soldiers, the Ministries of Petroleum, Health and Environment formed a Health Team in April 2016. The committee went to Paloch oil?elds (Blocks 3 and 7), Gumry chemical yard and well 30 at Gassaba where the soldiers with alleged were once stationed and conducted epidemiological and environmental assessment. The team collected biological and environmental samples which were brought to the Public Health Laboratory (PHL). The through the help of the World Health Organization sent the samples to National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Occupational Health, South Africa for analysis. The laboratory ?ndings for environmental samples showed that most of the heavy metals are within the acceptable limits in water. Their concentrations in water are compared to Permissible Limits in Water, in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Levels. However, the concentrations of manganese and mercury in water are higher than these permissible limits. Their respective average concentrations are ten and seven times higher than permissible limits. Similarly, the results showed that most of the heavy metals in soil samples are within the acceptable limits. Nevertheless, the results for selenium, chromium, manganese and mercury are above the permissible limits. Furthermore, the laboratory ?ndings for urine samples for some soldiers indicated elevated level of manganese and mercury that could possibly be correlated to the direct exposure through ingestion. Based on the epidemiological ?ndings, the main presented were skin rash, abdominal discomfort, fever, generalized weakness, headache, irritation and night blindness, constipation and loss of libido, which are consistent with the presented by a person directly or indirectly exposed to mercury, manganese and selenium. In conclusion, these results are clearly indicating that heavy metals and petrochemicals have contaminated the area. As a result, some of soldiers and possibly locals might have been exposed. However, these results should be considered as preliminary ?ndings and subjected to further laboratory analysis. The Investigation Committee and from the National Institute for Occupational Health, South A?ica made a number of recOmmendations that includes the following: 1. Periodic (6 months) collection of samples - environmental (water, soil, grains) and biological (human air, urine, blood) samples for detailed chemical analysis; 2. Conduct complete and full medical examination of the affected local population; 3. The Health, Safety and Environmental of?cers should be empowered and supported to ensure that health and environmental standards are complied with; 4. Conduct extensive radiation analysis in all the oil?elds and surrounding areas. It is important to note that the recommendations of the previous team are consistent with the current recommendations. Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive and detailed investigations to be undertaken to ascertain whether the illnesses in the local communities around the oil?elds can be linked to petrochemical contaminants that might have contaminated the environment. 1