GuLFOMBattachment4REVISEDAppendix_F_-_Lead_Letter_-v2

Appendix F:

Lead Letter

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Participant Name
Participant Address 1
Participant Address 2
Participant City, State, ZIP
Date
Dear [Participant Name]:
In a couple of weeks, you will be called about a research study on the health of people involved
with oil spill clean-up in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS) is leading this research.
The study will include clean-up workers and others. We hope to learn about any health effects
of the oil spill by comparing those who had oil spill exposures and those who did not. In all,
about 55,000 people will be included.
You were selected because you worked in oil spill clean-up, took training, signed up to work, or
were sent to the Gulf to help in some way. Your name was on one or more lists such as the
PEC Premier training list, the NIOSH survey, or the TRG badge list. When you are called, we
will tell you more about this important study and ask you to participate. If you do not want to be
called, you can call the study center toll-free at 1-855-NIH-GULF (1-855-644-4853) in the next
two weeks to let us know.
You will be asked to complete a 30 minute survey about what you did during the spill and about
your health habits, and other jobs. The enclosed Oil Spill Work History Form may help you get
ready for the call. We will follow your health over the next 10 or more years using national, state
and local records like death certificates and cancer registries.
You may also be asked to join the next stage of this study. If you agree, we will send an
examiner to your home to measure your height, weight, and blood pressure. The examiner will
collect a blood and urine sample and collect some dust from your home. Depending on where
you live, the examiner may measure lung function. You will then be contacted about every two
years to answer questions about your health. If you are selected, you will receive a gift card
worth $50 for completing the home visit.
The telephone survey and the home visit are voluntary. Information you share will be kept
private. If you complete the telephone survey you may choose not to do the home visit. It is up
to you.
Your help is very important. The enclosed brochure gives more information about the study.
You can also visit our website at http://www.nihgulfstudy.org or call us toll-free at 1-855-NIHGULF (1-855-644-4853). We look forward to talking with you.

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Sincerely yours,

NIEHS Principal Investigator
SRA Project Director

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