Reply #17: Here's the pertinent text

[suffragette]

http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/protecting/pollution/documents/approval_approved_products.pdf

Oil spill treatment products approved for use in the United Kingdom
Compiled: 18 May 2010
Next review: January 2011


All products approved after 1 April 1996 have been required to pass both the Sea/Beach and Rocky Shore Toxicity Tests. Any products coming up for renewal that have only passed the Sea/Beach toxicity test in the past are required, before they can be renewed, to pass the Rocky Shore Test also. The following products have been removed from the list of approved products because they did not pass the Rocky Shore Test when submitted for renewal:

Chemkleen OSDA JAC (removed from list 21/01/1998)

Corexit 9527 (removed from list 30/07/1998)

Corexit 9500 (removed from list 30/07/1998).



http://blog.al.com/al/2010/05/oil_spill_dispersants_could_be.html

Most experts won't go that far, but even EPA administrator Lisa Jackson and NOAA administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco admitted in a recent conference call that the effects of the dispersants are largely unknown. Most of the studies performed on the agents have been testing effectiveness on dispersing oil, not on toxicity.

~~~

The exact chemical composition of the dispersants being used is not public information, but the products are called Corexit 9527 and Corexit 9500. Corexit 9527 was used in the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez spill, and contains 2-butoxyethanol, a chemical solvent that is used in paint thinners and varnish removers, among other products.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a branch of the CDC, describes 2-butoxyethanol as a toxic compound with a host of negative effects on humans, including kidney and liver damage at high doses. The data material safety sheets for both Corexit 9527 and Corexit 9500 advise "Do not contaminate surface water," under the heading "Environmental Precautions."

Corexit 9500 is a newer formula that does not include 2-butoxyethanol. Jackson said the EPA had approved both Corexit products for use, and did not know how much of the total 582,416 gallons used was 9527 and how much was 9500.




Seems pretty clear that it's banned in the UK and that these are the formulations being used here.

Letter from Rep. Markey is worth reading. Note, it is a PDF:
http://www.propublica.org/documents/item/letter-about-disperants-from-rep.-markey-to-epa1