A study was completed to test the short-term effects of oil exposure and removal of oil on frogs (Rana pipiens) in a captive setting, designed to mimic a spill response, and determine the efficacy of washing with detergent and rinsing, rinsing only, or no treatment as methods of care for short-term survival of frogs affected by oil spills. Additionally, the study examined the practicality of washing frogs under anesthesia. EAS maintained 130 live frogs using Office of Lab Animal Welfare (OLAW) husbandry standards and completed research in a laboratory setting.

Research indicators monitored for this study included short-term survival, food consumption, and weight, as well as irritation and other impacts to the skin. EAS humanely euthanized study subjects according to industry standards and processed animals for histopathological examination of their tissue to determine potential internal impacts of oil exposure. Statistical analysis was completed and summarized in a technical report and recommendations were provided. EAS was responsible for upholding human health and safety around hazardous substances, ensuring animal welfare compliance through Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) regulation, and developing novel protocols for amphibian spill response methodology.