EPA: BP Must
Use Less Toxic Dispersant
WASHINGTON –
Today, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) issued a directive requiring BP to identify and
use a less toxic and more effective dispersant from the list of EPA
authorized dispersants. Dispersants are a chemical used to break up oil
into small droplets so that they are more easily degraded.
The directive requires BP to identify a less toxic alternative – to be
used both on the surface and under the water at the source of the oil
leak – within 24 hours and to begin using the less toxic dispersant
within 72 hours of submitting the alternative.
If BP is unable to identify available alternative dispersant products,
BP must provide the Coast Guard and EPA with a detailed description of
the alternative dispersants investigated, and the reason they believe
those products did not meet the required standards.
EPA’s directive to BP can be found here:
http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants.html
While the
dispersant BP has been using is on the agency’s approved list, BP is
using this dispersant in unprecedented volumes and, last week, began
using it underwater at the source of the leak – a procedure that has
never been tried before. Because of
its use in unprecedented volumes and because much is unknown about the
underwater use of dispersants, EPA wants to ensure BP is using the least
toxic product authorized for use. We reserve the right to discontinue
the use of this dispersant method if any negative impacts on the
environment outweigh the benefits.
On May 15, EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard authorized BP to use dispersants
underwater at the source of the Deepwater Horizon leak. As the
dispersant is used underwater, BP is required to do constant,
scientifically rigorous monitoring so EPA scientists may determine the
dispersant’s effectiveness and impact on the environment, water and air
quality, and human health. EPA is posting the information BP collects
during the monitoring to ensure the public has access to this data.
|