Ya know what worries me more than the oil? What has the potential to cause greater harm?

[Stinky The Clown]

The dispersant.

I read someplace (but can't find it now) that it has some commonality with Agent Orange.

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. Corexit has been my crusade as well.

:/

[izquierdista]

2. You read bullshit

There was some linkage a couple days ago, someone compared the environmental damage of it to the defoliating of Vietnam. It is not chemically similar to Agent Orange, an herbicide.

Now what's not bullshit. First of all, read the MSDS for Corexit, there are a few different formulations. It's basically detergent in a carrier, either mineral spirits or some small polyether. It's kind of like wiping down the bathroom with a dirty diaper. Sure, you can wipe things up with it, but you end up wiping more shit all over the place. The use of detergent (and detergent alone) to break up spilled oil, solubilize it, and let bacteria degrade it is accepted technology and it has worked on some pretty good size oil spills.

Now I'll let my opinion creep in: this spill was far too large from day one to be using detergent, and it is compounded stupidity to use detergent in some organic carrier (you're just adding to the problem, not subtracting).

[mrJJ]

3. I think this is what ya were looking for

Doctor: We’ll see effects of COREXIT ‘for years to come, similar to Agent Orange in the 1960’s

Dr. Seth Forman will appear on MSNBC Wednesday morning to discuss the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Tampa dermatologist says the chemicals used in the clean up could have lasting effects. Today’s interview will air at 11:30 a.m. during the cable network’s MSNBC Live show.

“BP has already pumped more than 800,000 gallons of this toxin into the Gulf of Mexico,” says the Tampa dermatologist. “While it is good the EPA is forcing BP to reduce the amount of COREXIT used, the damage is already done. We will see the effects of this for years to come, similar to ‘agent orange’ in the 1960’s.”

Dr. Forman is Board Certified in both Dermatology and Dermapathologist. He has researched and written several articles on dermatological issues, including skin cancer and eczema. He’s also the author of two chapters in the leading reference medical textbook, Comprehensive Dermatological Drug Therapy.

http://www.prnewschannel.com/absolutenm/templates/?z=0&a=2605