The increase in cancer and genetic deviations will show up as increases in the expectancy statistics, but it will be a long time before these figures are available- and there will always be guesswork involved.

Luckily, gnu, the BP oil "spill" did not get into the Gulf Stream and will not reach Europe. It has done damage in the northern part of the Gulf, however, that will be felt for years, let alone the losses to merchants, fishermen, and resort operators in the Gulf- even where effects are not present, the public is wary and is going to Hawai'i, Phuket, The Cooks, etc. instead.

I have commented on the even larger "spill" some years ago in the Mexican (Campeche) part of the Gulf, all but forgotten but still affecting fish, wildlife and livlihoods in SE coastal Mexico.

Deep drilling is underway again in the Gulf, and BP is going back to the same formation, where they have 800 million bbls. or more and expect more finds. They are just one of half-a-dozen majors drilling in the same depths.