Haase - Sorry guys, I think employee air monitoring determines if a respirator is required.
Not a blanket statement... seriously.
I cleaned up a lot of petroleum hazards back in the day wearing a ton of gear.
At a minimum a respirator and petroleum resistant clothing, gloves, boots etc... were required until 'area air and soil samples confirmed safe work levels'. Only then could we downgrade our gear. That was the regulatory requirement in 92' and it has only gotten stricter...
Fast Company - the health problems common among oil spill cleanup workers. The people spraying off those birds—work that may be, ultimately, futile—are at risk, themselves.