( CNN ) -- Exposure to the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has resulted in 162 cases of illnesses reported to the Louisiana state health department , according to a report released Monday . Of those cases , 128 involved workers on oil rigs or individuals involved in the oil spill cleanup efforts , the report said . Among the most common reported symptoms were throat irritation , shortness of breath , cough , eye irritation , nausea and headaches , according to the department 's oil spill surveillance report . The weekly report gathers data from a surveillance network of doctors , clinics , emergency care locations and medical facilities . According to the most recent report , since the beginning of the oil spill , of the workers who reported illnesses , 120 were male and eight were female . Of the general public affected , nine were male and 25 were female . Most of those who reported symptoms were between the ages of 18 and 64 , the report said . There were six illnesses reported the week of June 20 , a sharp decrease from a high of 38 reported illnesses the first week of June , the report said . Several of the workers who fell ill reportedly had been exposed to fumes from the dispersants being deployed in the Gulf , the report said . Most of those affected worked on the cleanup efforts in some way . Twenty-three of those with symptoms worked on an oil rig , the report said . Most workers went to an emergency room or an urgent care center when they developed symptoms . At least 21 people were briefly hospitalized . In a related development , Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine asked Monday that BP pay $ 10 million to fund six months of mental health services to people affected by the spill . `` There exists anger , anxiety and uncertainty among the families and communities affected by the spill , which will easily manifest into addiction and various forms of mental health crisis if not confronted , '' he said in a letter to BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles . Teams have counseled almost 2,000 people in affected areas , and are reporting increases in anxiety , depression , stress , grief , excessive drinking , earlier drinking and suicidal ideation , he said . `` These are early warning signs of developing substance abuse and dependence , mental illness , suicide and familial breakdown including divorce , spouse abuse and child abuse and neglect . '' In a separate request , Catholic Charities is seeking $ 3.2 million for six months of mental health services , he said in the letter , which asked Suttles to respond within a week .
Louisiana report that 140 people have respiratory illnesses . 128 of those were reported in the Gulf and the Caribbean from the general public . Symptoms included throat pain , shortness of breath , coughing . Most were between the ages of 18 and 64 .