The Environmental Protection Agency has finally released a list of chemicals that are in COREXIT 9500 and 9527, which are being used in the Deepwater Horizon explosion and spill of oil after the explosion. The EPA is saying that the dispersants are less toxic than the oil, which on the EPA website a list of chemicals in the dispersants is listed.
Chemicals in the COREXIT
The list consists of the following: 1,2-Propanediol; Ethanol, 2-butoxy, which is not in the COREXIT 9500; Butanedioic acid, 2-sulfo-, 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester, sodium salt (1:1); Sorbitan, mono-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate; Sorbitan, mono-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs; Sorbitan, tri-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs; 2-Propanol, 1-(2-butoxy-1-methylethoxy)-; and Distillates (petroleum), hydrotreated light (EPA, 2010). However, Nalco claims all the chemicals used in the dispersants are safe and are used in everyday items such as skin cream, baby shampoos, beverages, and other common household items; however, one of the chemicals, 2-butoxy-ethanol, is not so harmless.
2-butoxy-ethanol is Toxic
This chemical, 2-butoxy-ethanol, is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List and the amount of time a person can work around this chemical is limited by OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH. The Special Hazard Substance List warns that 2-butoxy-ethanol is a reproductive hazard, which means that it can affect a fetus if a woman is pregnant and can affect a male’s reproductive system. Additionally, the sheet warns that 2-butoxy-ethanol can affect kidney and liver function. However, will the public ever find out the complete truth about the affects and after effects of the oil spill on people in the affected areas and the workers who are cleaning up the spill? The Special Hazard Substance List warns that the after-effects of 2-butoxy-ethanol can lasts for months or years after exposure. Therefore, people who are cleaning or are exposed to any area of the spill need to take all precautions.
The Dispersants are no Safer Than the Oil
How can Nalco say that the dispersants are basically safe if one of the chemicals in the dispersants is 2-butoxy-ethanol and is considered a carcinogen to humans? Carcinogens are capable of causing cancer and are found in a variety of products such as radon, asbestos, arsenic, and other toxic chemicals and substances. Therefore, the chemicals in the disersants are as toxic as the oil that is in the Gulf of Mexico. Will the public ever find out the complete true about how the spill will affect environmental health?
References
EPA. (2010). EPA Response to BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Retrieved June13, 2010
Susan Hillman - My name is Susan Hillman. I am 41-years-old and I have my Associate's in Psychology and I am currently obtaining my Bachelor's in ...
