Mental health indicators and lung function following a large oil spill

Natural and anthropogenic disaster-related experiences can exacerbate background stressors, which may lead to negative mental health outcomes [1]. However, few studies have assessed mental health indicators related to measured lung function in the aftermath of a disaster. In 2010 the Deepwater Horizon ( DWH ) disaster resulted in the largest maritime oil spill in US history and negatively affected proximal communities, which experienced increased distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms attributed to the disaster [2, 3]. We investigated the relationship between mental health indicators and lung function following this disaster. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. Lawrence has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Werder has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Kwok has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Engel has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Sandler has nothing to disclose.