Tasman Spirit oil spill in Pakistan: research response and lessons learned

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.

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.

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.

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.