Toxic dispersants used in clean-up efforts are also known as "deodorized kerosene"

[onestepforward]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/16/louisiana-oil-spill-toxic-chemical-bp

snip-
Approval by the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) for the pumping of tens of thousands of litres of the chemical Corexit 9500 deep on to the seabed early yesterday comes despite warnings from Louisiana state health officials, scientists and fishermen that the technique is untested and potentially hazardous to marine life and the wider ecosystem. Louisiana officials claim BP and the EPA ignored their concerns about how the chemicals may harm the sea floor.

snip-
But it is the use of the chemical dispersant in such depths that has become the increasing focus of concern. Until now, Corexit 9500 has been approved for surface use only.

Corexit 9500 has been identified as a "moderate" human health hazard that can cause eye, skin or respiratory irritation with prolonged exposure. Its makers also warn that it has the tendency to "bioconcentrate" in the environment.

snip-
Another toxiciology expert, Dr William Sawyer, who has made a presentation to the US lawyers representing environmental and other interests after the spill has added to the concern: "The dispersants used in the BP clean-up efforts, known as Corexit 9500 and Corexit EC9527A, are also known as deodorized kerosene," he told the group. "With respect to marine toxicity and potential human health risks, studies of kerosene exposures strongly indicate potential health risks to volunteers, workers, sea turtles, dolphins, breathing reptiles and all species which need to surface for air exchanges, as well as birds and all other mammals. Additionally, I have considered marine species which surface for atmospheric inhalation such as sea turtles, dolphins and other species which are especially vulnerable to aspiration toxicity of Corexit 9500 into the lung while surfacing."
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[yurbud]

1. what if we just rounded up all the BP execs and major shareholders and gave them straws?

and told them they will pay 100% of damages for any oil that reaches the beach or destroys off-shore fisheries.

[ashling]

2. Unttested?

So test this shit on BP executives first. Drink up boys!

[obxhead]

3. Oil we don't see wasn't actually spilled.

That's my take on why these chemicals are being used at such high rates. :argh:

[AllenVanAllen]

4. This makes me feel ill.

The Gulf is fucked, how bad we just don't know yet. Too much trust has been given to BP from the beginning of this whole goddamn thing.

[amborin]

5. unconscionable that BP is allowed to use this toxic dispersant

guess they think the public is stupid enough to fall for their cosmetic fix and maybe they're right

but WHY is BP allowed to do this?

our EPA sucks; they refused to allow Dutch skimming ships b/c the ships could only skim off 95% of the oil, yet they allow these toxic chemicals which only compound the damage

[onestepforward]

7. I found a little more information:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704379004575248841234368332.html?mod=rss_Today's_Most_Popular

snip-
The dispersant being sprayed most heavily into the gulf is among the more toxic of those authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be used on oil spills, according to an EPA chart.

The product—Corexit 9500, made by Naperville, Il.-based Nalco Co.—also is among the least efficient in breaking up the kind of oil typically found in the vicinity of this spill, the EPA says. In a test, the concentration of Corexit 9500 necessary to kill 50% of fish called menidia was less than the concentration of any other dispersant the EPA has authorized for use in oil spills, meaning Corexit 9500 is more toxic, according to EPA data. However, it was middle of the pack in terms of its toxicity to mysid shrimp.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said last week that large amounts of the chemical were quickly available at the time of the spill.

In another test, Corexit 9500 broke down less of a given amount of crude oil from south Louisiana into small droplets than all but two of the other EPA-approved dispersants, according to the EPA.Erik Fyrwald, Nalco's chief executive, said Corexit 9500 meets EPA criteria, is an effective dispersant and is far less toxic than untreated oil.

The Dutch skimming ships should have been put to use on day one, no doubt.

[lonestarnot]

6. Fucking outrage!