A C-130 Hercules sprays Corexit dispersant onto the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo: US Air Force)
From the Government Accountability Project: Today, June 18, is a National Day of Action to Ban Dispersants. During the Deepwater Horizon disaster, BP and the federal government used nearly two million gallons of the toxic dispersant Corexit. Together, they even stated that dispersants are “as safe as Dawn dishwashing liquid.” However, thanks to whistleblowers and sound science, we know that’s not true.
GAP’s investigative report, Deadly Dispersants in the Gulf: Are Public Health and Environmental Tragedies the New Norm for Oil Spill Cleanups?, details the devastating long-term effects on human health and the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem stemming from Corexit. When this product is mixed with oil, a deadly synergy occurs resulting in a mixture that is 52 times more toxic than oil alone.
The only so-called advantage of Corexit is the false impression that the oil has disappeared. In reality, the mixture settles on the seafloor and spreads throughout the environment. Alarmingly, BP and the federal government intend for Corexit or other toxic dispersants to be the new cleanup standard operating procedure for future oil spills.
GAP partnered with the Louisiana Environmental Action Network to conduct its investigation, and has teamed up with Take Part and Ultimate Civics to petition EPA to ban toxic dispersants! We have reached over one-half of our target signatures. Help us to complete our goal!
Take Action Now: Tell the EPA to Ban Toxic Dispersants!
Earlier posts:
Corexit: Deadly Dispersant in Oil Spill Cleanup
“Inside Story” on BP’s use of Corexit to “clean up” Gulf oil blowout disaster
More coverage on Corexit, deadly dispersant in the BP Gulf oil blowout disaster