'We Have Nothing to Hide,' Oil Dispersant Maker Says

[maddezmom]

Source: NYT

By PAUL QUINLAN of Greenwire
Published: May 28, 2010
The manufacturer of the oil-dispersing chemicals being used by BP PLC in the Gulf of Mexico said today that injecting the dispersant on a still-gushing wellhead was unprecedented and should be carried out with ample testing.

"That's a new approach," said Erik Fyrwald, CEO of Nalco, whose dispersants are marketed under the name Corexit. "Our belief is, because it is a new approach, it needs to be done with a lot of testing to make sure there are no unfavorable impacts, and we encourage that."

Fyrwald also called the latest version of his company's dispersant, Corexit 9500, "safe and effective." But he refused to either endorse the controversial dispersant strategy or U.S. EPA's decision this week to scale back its use dramatically over concerns about the long-term effects that dispersing oil might have on the environment.

"What is the best approach? What has the least impact to the total environment?" Fyrwald asked. "I do believe that dispersants have a positive role to play as a tool. But I think the only people that can determine how to use it and when to use it and which ones to use are the respondents on the ground who are making those calls."



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/05/28/28greenwire-we-have-nothing-to-hide-oil-dispersant-maker-s-42602.html

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22-mile oil plume found under Gulf surface


¬snip¬

The discovery was important, he said, because it confirmed that the substance found in the water was not naturally occurring and that the plume was at its highest concentration in deeper waters. The researchers will use further testing to determine whether the hydrocarbons they found are the result of dispersants or the emulsification of oil as it traveled away from the well.

¬snip¬

The researchers say they are worried these undersea plumes may be the result of the unprecedented use of chemical dispersants to break up the oil a mile undersea at the site of the leak.

Hollander said the oil they detected has dissolved into the water, and is no longer visible, leading to fears from researchers that the toxicity from the oil and dispersants could pose a big danger to fish larvae and creatures that filter the waters for food.

"There are two elements to it," Hollander said. "The plume reaching waters on the continental shelf could have a toxic effect on fish larvae, and we also may see a long term response as it cascades up the food web."

Dispersants contain surfactants, which are similar to dishwashing soap.

more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hXrdaztYWC4b-nfTbBOcb6bX0a5gD9FVSOU02

[hatrack]

1. We have nothing to hide, except for exactly what's in our toxic goo, and how much

"Proprietary" formula. Right, OK then, it must be A-OK.

[LakeSamish706]

A list of handling instructions for Corexit 9500:

Keep container tightly closed. Do not get in eyes, on skin, on clothing. Do not take internally. Avoid breathing vapor. Use with adequate ventilation. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap and water.

[joanmj]

5. why haven't they found an alternative? another dispersant?

[Michigan-Arizona]

7. I read somewhere that they did have an alternative

Right at the moment I don't remember where I read that they had ordered something that was suppose to be much safer on May 4th(I think)& it is still sitting on the dock's in Houston, TX.

[boppers]

9. Volume and immediate availability.

A million person army in 500,000 boats, all armed with billions of straw bales and buckets, would have less of an environmental impact, but such a thing is simply not immediately available.

A competing dispersant was actually purchased by BP, but never picked up, because the manufacturer couldn't produce it in the required volumes.... this isn't simply a matter of finding an alternative, but having an alternative they can use RIGHT NOW.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. ancient Chinese secret

oh wait, that's Calgon, nevermind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjNRXfRXnoc
old Calgon commercial for those that wanna skip that sort of thing

[charlesg]

3. Corexit 9500 MSDS says: "Do not contaminate surface water", "Component substances have a potential

to bioconcentrate"

http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/2010/05/why-are-dispersant-chemicals-secret/

[tomm2thumbs]

4. they said they have nothing to hide

they just didn't expect someone would actually look...

good info - thanks

[rocktivity]

6. Sure You Don't--Now That You're DONE Hiding It, Rocktivity Says n/t

:eyes:
rocktivity

[BelgianMadCow]

8. translation: "latest version is "safe" - what they used though is shit. But it was their call"

"I know nothing, I am from Barcelona"

The dispersant mentioned by this top asshat: "latest version" of Corexit 9500

Dispersants used:
Corexit EC9500A (note A)and Corexit EC9527A as per http://www.minnpost.com/worldcsm/2010/05/21/18381/epa_scolds_bp_in_gulf_oil_spill_dispersant_is_too_toxic_change_it

You figure it out