Gulf Coast residents need to know as much as they can about Corexit and its affects on human health because as of now, BP has dumped “close to two million gallons of Corexit,” in Tampa and St. Petersburg’s back yard. More importantly, “there is no way to tell how much more will be dumped into the Gulf,” according to Mobile Baykeeper.org.
Data on the toxicity of Corexit is has been 'reportedly' changing, which is unusual for chemical science. Formulas can go through a phase transition, but generally do not alter their molecular structure on their own.
However, media spin can change, and it has been fed conflicting stories on BP's chemical disbursant, Corexit 9500.
Case in point
May 20, 2010: The EPA ordered BP to look for less toxic alternatives to Corexit, and later ordered BP to stop spraying dispersants, but BP responded that it thought that Corexit was the best alternative and continued to spray it. “
July 1, 2010: WKRG.com reports, “EPA Says Chemical Dispersant Is Far Less Toxic Than Oil”
In the same article, Marine Biologist Dr. Bob Shipp said, “Dispersants will do more harm than good. I just can't understand it. I just can’t understand EPA’s role in this at all, it makes no sense. “
There is a lot about the Gulf oil spill that makes no sense. For one thing Corexit did not suddenly become less toxic between May and July - unless the chemical formula was changed and there is no evidence to suggest that, even on Nalco, the manufacturers website.
Corexit is produced by a Nalco Holding Company which is associated with BP and Exxon.
Actual data
A study conducted by Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources concluded that oil in the environment is toxic at 11 PPM (parts per million). Corexit 9500 is toxic at only 2.61 PPM. So in reality, Corexit is approximately four times more toxic than oil. But Corexit 9500 has another precarious characteristic; it’s reaction to warm water. As the water in the Gulf of Mexico heats up, Corexit 9500 goes through a phase transition that changes it from a liquid to a gas, which is readily absorbed by clouds and released as toxic rain.
What people need to do is filter through the conflicting data and apply simple, common sense and logic when it comes to who they should believe, and why they should believe them. One possible formula might be: Toxicity + Motivation to reveal toxicity = What you should believe. Once you have come to your own conclusion, continue to trust your own judgment.
More data on Corexit
On June 29, 2010 Mobile Baykeeper reported, “When the severity of the disaster in the Gulf was exposed on April 28th, Mobile Baykeeper declared the use of chemical dispersant as the wrong way to combat the oil. Corexit, the chemical dispersant being used at the wellhead and off shore, is not only a toxic substance with untested effects on our environment, it disperses the oil throughout the water column which makes siphoning the oil and protecting our shoreline with boom virtually impossible. However, the EPA process by which dispersants are approved is flawed. It includes a way to approve or “list” dispersants but no process to “de-list” these toxic chemicals. “
CNN has posted a story that is running around the web like a teenager in a sports car: “Warning To Gulf Volunteers: Almost Every Cleanup Worker From The 1989 Exxon Valdez Disaster Is Now Dead.” (See video below)
For all the conflicting information the public has been given since the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster on April 20th, there seems to be one clear thought rising to the top of the heap; BP is probably not the most reliable source for information on what people should know about the health risks associated with Corexit and the Gulf oil spill. Toxicity + motivation to reveal toxicity = What you should believe - may bring you a bit closer to the truth.
The video below tells CNN’s story about the workers who died after the Exxon Valdez oil spill clean up. You may also want to check out the links for resources on this article and more info:
Acute aquatic toxicity of three Corexit products
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corexit
http://www.nalco.com/applications/corexit-technology.htm
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/june302010/oil-lifespans.php
Feel free to play with the 'adjust leak rate' slider to whatever rate you really think is spilling.
Photo top: President Obama: Youtube video clip
Comments
Very informative article. There is so little known about the long term effects of dispersants and this is a horrible way to find out.
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