Feds Ignored Louisiana Concerns about Experimental Chemicals Used against Oil Slick

[The Straight Story]

Feds Ignored Louisiana Concerns about Experimental Chemicals Used against Oil Slick

The federal government approved BP’s use of chemicals to break up the oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill despite concerns from scientists and public officials in Louisiana.

When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discussed the choice of using chemical dispersants to keep the enormous oil slick from washing up on coastal shorelines, Louisiana’s top environmental people questioned the strategy, insisting there was too much unknown about the impact of the chemicals on aquatic life.

“We’re very disappointed in their approach,” Robert Barham, head of the state’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, told the Telegraph. “The federal procedures call for a consensus between federal authorities, the responsible party and the states involved. When we met and expressed our concerns, apparently they decided to go without us.”

Added Alan Levine, head of Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals: “We don’t have any data or evidence behind the use of these chemicals in the water. We’re now basically using one of the richest ecosystems in the world as a laboratory.”

EPA also has come under scrutiny for approving the use of two dispersants that aren’t as highly rated as others for effectiveness or safety. In fact, about a dozen other government-approved dispersants have tested better for breaking up petroleum in water while not causing as much harm to ocean species.

http://www.allgov.com/Top_Stories/ViewNews/Feds_Ignored_Louisiana_Concerns_about_Experimental_Chemicals_Used_against_Oil_Slick_100517

[Bragi]

1. Of course dispersants work

Dispersants work very well in hiding big oil catastrophes from media and public view.

As for long term harm from them, that is an absurd concern in any society that believes it can extract oil from a mile below the ocean surface and not eventually despoil the ocean and its shorelines.

We are now at war with our oceans, and I believe we have the ability to win this war.