EPA: 1st tests show dispersants equally toxic

WASHINGTON (AP) -- EPA officials say their first round of testing on chemicals used to break apart the oil in the Gulf of Mexico shows all the available dispersants are generally equally toxic.

Paul Anastas, EPA's assistant administrator for research and development, said Wednesday that the testing also showed the chemicals are far less toxic than oil. He said none of the chemicals had dangerous effects on the sea life tested.

The chemicals break oil into smaller particles that are easier for microbes to consume.

Anastas says the chemicals break down in weeks or months, while it takes oil years to biodegrade.

However, he cautioned that more testing was needed to study how toxic the dispersants are when mixed with oil. This round of testing only studied the chemicals not mixed with oil.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GULF_OIL_SPILL_DISPERSANTS_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME

since these dispersants have been available and used for years?????????????????

the US does it OUR way, we seem not to want to learn from others' experience whether it is toxic dispersant, genetically modified seeds, gas mileage, alternative energy, mass transit, -- the list is endless. I just don't get it. I thought we were smarter than that.

Gotta love it.

Thanks for posting.

What a fuck up.

Doubt it will pacify people who want to "get their rage on" though.

No dangerous affects of sea life? This link lists the affects of 2-butoxyethanol on aquatic species and the word Mortality occurs with alarming frequency.

http://www.pesticideinfo.org/List_AquireAll.jsp?Rec_Id=PC35051

And from the EPA...
GLYCOL ETHERS(1)
(2-METHOXYETHANOL, 2-ETHOXYETHANOL, AND 2-BUTOXYETHANOL)

Glycol ethers have many uses; these include use as solvents and as an ingredient in cleaning compounds, liquid soaps, and cosmetics. Acute (short-term) exposure to high levels of the glycol ethers in humans results in narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage. Chronic (long-term) exposure to the glycol ethers in humans may result in neurological and blood effects, including fatigue, nausea, tremor, and anemia. No information is available on the reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenic effects of the glycol ethers in humans. Animal studies have reported reproductive and developmental effects from inhalation and oral exposure to the glycol ethers. EPA has not classified the glycol ethers for carcinogenicity.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/ecotox/



Corexit 9527, considered by the EPA to be an acute health hazard, is stated by its manufacturer to be potentially harmful to red blood cells, the kidneys and the liver, and may irritate eyes and skin.<24><13> The chemical 2-butoxyethanol, found in Corexit 9527, was identified as having caused lasting health problems in workers involved in the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.<25> According to the Alaska Community Action on Toxics, the use of Corexit during the Exxon Valdez oil spill caused people "respiratory, nervous system, liver, kidney and blood disorders".<15> Like 9527, 9500 can cause hemolysis (rupture of blood cells) and may also cause internal bleeding.<4>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corexit

I wonder why the sudden backtracking.