Responding to growing alarm about health hazards to humans and wildlife resulting from BP's oil spill, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson ordered the company last May to reduce its usage of dispersants by 75 percent. Since then, the company has mostly complied with the order, reducing the amount of dispersants it is putting in the water by 68 percent.
New results of EPA testing released this week found that dispersants alone likely are far less toxic than feared and are certainly less toxic to sea life than oil.
According to data released this week, the EPA tests found that none of the eight dispersants used in the water along the Gulf Coast "displayed biologically significant endocrine disrupting activity."
Further testing in EPA and other government labs, along with private labs, will continue to study the toxicity of the combination of oil and dispersants.
"EPA is performing independent tests to determine the potential impacts of various dispersants. We will continue to conduct additional research before providing a final recommendation," said EPA Administrator Jackson. "We want to ensure that every tool is available to mitigate the impact of the BP spill and protect our fragile wetlands. But we continue to direct BP to use dispersants responsibly and in as limited an amount as possible."
Paul Anastas, EPA assistant administrator for research and development, told reporters Wednesday that EPA's main concern is that BP use dispersants in a limited way and that they use only those which have proven most effective. He also said that Administrator Jackson ordered the manufacturer of the dispersants to release the ingredients of its products publicly.
Anastas also noted that scientists expect dispersants to biodegrade within weeks or months of use. Tests of both water and air revealed that dispersants are not staying in the air or the water column, he explained.
"Oil is enemy number one in this crisis," he said. Reduced use of dispersants along with reliance on oil collection, burning, and skimming on the best means of reducing the environmental hazards of BP's oil spill, he stated.
Lax rule on the usage of dispersants created by the Bush administration will have to be "reexamined and revisited," Anastis added.
The previous administration relied solely on information about dispersant products given it by the manufacturers of the products. It never tested the material to verify industry data or learn the full impact the products would have on the environment.
The Obama administration has called on BP to provide proper safety and health equipment and training for clean-up workers in the Gulf Coast. Readers can join the call to demand BP provide safety equipment for workers here.
Photo: EPA scientists collect water smaples in Gulf Coast. (EPA.gov)
