Editor’s Note: All week we’ve been ranting about the issue of the toxic dispersant being used in the Gulf of Mexico, and how its manufacturer is one of the biggest frauds since Satan himself. Now the EPA has done something — it’s insisted that a less toxic chemical be used. This small gesture outlines the lack of action by the federal government and reveals the extent to which it is controlled by Big Oil. Let’s keep this conversation going. Small gestures will mean a lot. The more people see these articles, the bigger of an influence that We, the People will have. -efc
The Environmental Protection Agency informed BP officials late Wednesday that the company has 24 hours to choose a less toxic form of chemical dispersants to break up its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to government sources familiar with the decision, and must apply the new form of dispersants within 72 hours of submitting the list of alternatives.
The move is significant, because it suggests federal officials are now concerned that the unprecedented use of chemical dispersants could pose a significant threat to the Gulf of Mexico’s marine life. BP has been using two forms of dispersants, Corexit 9500A and Corexit 9527A, and so far has applied 600,000 gallons on the surface and 55,000 underwater.
“Dispersants have never been used in this volume before,” said an administration official spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision hasn’t been formally announced. “This is a large amount of dispersants being used, larger amounts than have ever been used, on a pipe that continues to leak oil and that BP is still trying to cap.”
The new policy applies to both surface and undersea application, according to sources, and comes as EPA has just posted BP’s own results from monitoring the effect underwater application of chemical dispersants has had in terms of toxicity, dissolved oxygen and effectiveness.
An EPA official said the agency would make an announcement on the matter later today.