The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has requested the Environmental Advisory Service for Oil and Chemical Spills at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Ltd. together with experts at the University of Lund and the Swedish Wildlife Rehabilitators Association to conduct an investigation on issues related to cleaning and rehabilitation of seabirds contaminated by oil spills in the Baltic Sea area. The Advisory Service was founded in 1980 as a centre of competence on the effects of oil spills and accidental outlets of chemicals in the marine and limnic environments. The service is financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and is intended to support the Rescue Service, and regional and local authorities with information to help reduce harmful impacts on the environment and health.