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Gulf Oil Catastrophe: BP's Corexit toxicity data

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ri...@math.missouri.edu

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Jun 13, 2010, 10:25:14 AM6/13/10

http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/2010/06/05/amount-neurotoxin-pesticide-corexit-sprayed-bp-tops-1-million-gallons

The Amount Of Neurotoxin Pesticide Corexit Sprayed By BP Tops 1 Million
Gallons

Posted by Alexander Higgins - June 5, 2010 at 6:56 am - [20]Permalink
Neurotoxin Pesticide Corexit is a Biohazard
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BP's [23]latest oil spill response update for June 4th says the total
amount of the dispersant used in the Gulf of Mexico more than 1,021,000
gallons.

But what most people don't know is that the active ingredient of the
toxic chemical dispersant, which is up to 60% by volume, being sprayed
by BP to fight the Gulf oil spill is a [24]neurotoxin pesticide that
is acutely toxic to both human and aquatic life, causes cancer, causes
damage to internal organs such as the liver and kidneys simply by
absorbing it through the skin and may cause reproductive side effects.

In fact the neurotoxin pesticide that is lethal to 50% of life in
concentrations as little as 2.6 parts per million has been [25]banned
for use in the UK since 1998 because it failed the UK [26]"Rocky
shore test" which assures that the dispersant does not cause a
"significant deleterious ecological change" - or to put that in
layman's terms it can kill off the entire food chain.

Corexit has also earned the highest EPA warning label for toxicity
which means the effects of the toxic chemicals to the eye are corrosive
resulting in irreversible destruction of ocular tissue and other tissue
with corneal involvement along with an burning that can persist for
more than 21 days and effects to human skin are corrosive resulting in
tissue destruction into the dermis and/or scarring.

Corexit was widely used after the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill and according
to a literature review performed by the group the Alaska Community
Action on Toxics was later linked with widespread long lasting health
impacts in people including respiratory, nervous system, liver, kidney
and blood disorders.

The "Human Health Hazards" are said to be "Chronic" for Corexit
EC9527A according to the EPA.

So What Are These Dispersants Made Of That Makes Them Such a Powerful
Neurotoxin Pesticide?

The main ingredients of Corexit is [27]2-Butoxyethanol which can make
up to 60% of the dispersant and is known to be toxic to blood, kidneys,
liver, and the central nervous system (CNS).

2-Butoxyethanol is also known to cause cancer, birth defects and has
been found to cause genetic mutations and is a [28]delayed chronic
health hazard as well as an environmental hazardous material

[29]Corexit also contains Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, and
Cyanide.

How effective is Corexit in dispersing Gulf crude?

[30]Corexit 9500 is only 54.7% effective and [31]Corexit 9527A is 63.4%
effective in dispersing the crude oil found off the shores of South
Louisiana.

BP has sprayed both [32]Corexit 9500 and Corexit 9527 into the Gulf of
Mexico to disperse the oil both of which have been [33]banned in the UK
since 1998 for failure to pass the Rocky Shores Test.

By [34]BP's own admission Corexit has the potential for
[35]bioaccumulation meaning it has the potential to accumulate in the
tissues of organism beginning with the first organism in a food chain.

Why allow the use of these toxic dispersants?

Well the EPA has ordered BP to stop using the dispersants but [36]BP
has refused

Instead BP replied with its [37]justification for using Corexit which
the [38]EPA responded to saying BP's response "lacked sufficient
analysis and focused more defending your initial decision" .

In general, the EPA justifies the use of dispersants because they are
less toxic than oil and the cause less of an environment impact that
oil along the coastline calling dispersants an environmental trade off
which is the lesser of two evils.

However the choice of using Corexit contradicts both of those
justifications.

Corexit is lethal in as little as 2.6 parts per million where oil is
lethal in 11 parts per million meaning that Corexit is over 4 times
more toxic than oil.

Furthermore scientific studies show that [39]oil dispersed with Corexit
is 11 times more lethal than oil alone.

In fact the [40]study referenced showed that crude oil was lethal at
4250 parts per million to killifish but combination of oil mixed with
Corexit was lethal in as little as 317.7 ppm.

"Dispersed oils were more toxic than crude oils," noted the report.

The other justification of lessening the environmental impact along the
shoreline doesn't hold up either as the reason Corexit was banned in
the UK is because it was in fact shown to have a "significant
deleterious ecological change" on the shoreline.

The fact Corexit is 4 times as toxic as oil and up to 11 times as toxic
when combined with oil it literally makes no sense to allow the use of
such a toxic chemical that can "delete" the ecological systems along
the Gulf coast.

A report in the journal [41]Environmental Toxicology a decade ago
concluded that lethality levels in "dispersed oil combinations were
significantly more toxic to these organisms than .. crude oil."
[42]Another study, this time of snails and amphipods reached exactly
the same conclusion.

What are the long term effects of Corexit?

The EPA has stated over and over that the [43]long term effects of the
use of Corexit are unknown yet there is plenty of data documenting the
long term effects on humans (see below).

Further making the EPA claims questionable is EPA's Deepwater horizon
response sites site clearly states that between 1 million and 2.5
million gallons of the neurotoxin pesticide [44]Corexit was used in the
1979 ixtoc oil spill which makes it unfathomable that the EPA doesn't
know what the long term effects are of a chemical that has been widely
used, and eventually banned in certain countries, over a period of 30
years.

To the contrary of the EPA's statement scientific studies widely state
[45]Corexit 9527 has been tested extensively in the laboratory and used
on oil spills since 1978 and a considerable number of toxicity reports
exist concerning a wide variety of species.

So why does the Federal Government continue to tell us the the long
term effects of the dispersant usage are unknown?

Why does the Federal Government continue to pretend like they know so
little about the dispersant BP is being used?

What are the chemical components of the dispersants COREXIT 9500 and
COREXIT 9527?

While the main ingredient which makes up to 60% of Corexit is reason
enough to cause concern.

If you dig any more dirt on these let me know.

The components of COREXIT 9500 and 9527 are:
CAS Registry Number Chemical Name
57-55-6 1,2-Propanediol
111-76-2 2-butoxy-Ethanol
577-11-7 Butanedioic acid, 2-sulfo-, 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester, sodium salt (1:1)
1338-43-8 Sorbitan, mono-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate
9005-65-6 Sorbitan, mono-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
9005-70-3 Sorbitan, tri-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs
29911-28-2 2-Propanol, 1-(2-butoxy-1-methylethoxy)-
64742-47-8 Distillates (petroleum), hydrotreated light
The have also been found to contain Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium,
Mercury, and Cyanide among other heavy metals

What are the Chronic Health effects of Corexit?

Here are some of the highlights from the [46]MSDS for the active
ingredient (2-butoxyethanol) - of Corexit (up to 60% by volume)
* Severe over-exposure can result in death.
* MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast.
* The substance may be toxic to blood, kidneys, liver, central
nervous system (CNS).
* Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target
organs damage.
* Repeated exposure to highly (this) toxic material may produce
general deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many
human organs.
* Hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator), of ingestion, of
inhalation.
* May cause adverse reproductive effects (maternal and paternal
fertility, fetoxicity)
* May cause birth defects (teratogenic)
* May cause cancer (tumorigenic)
* Penetrates intact skin easily and can cause systemic effects and
central nervous system depression
* Inhalation: May cause irritation of the respiratory tract. May
affect behavior (analgesia), behavior/central nervous system
(headache, drowsiness, dizzness, stuttering, coma, weakness,
ataxia, slurred speech, loss of coordination and judgement,
personality changes, analgesia, blurred vision, tremor, excitement,
somnolence), sense organs, the gastrointestinal tract (nausea,
vomiting), metabolism (metabolic acidosis), respiration (dyspnea),
urinary system (kidneys - hematuria, albuminuria, polyuria,
oliguria, renal failure), liver (liver damage).
* Exposure to high vapor concentration may also cause corneal or lens
opacity of the eyes.
* Ingestion: Causes gastrointestinal tract irritation with nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea. May affect behavior/central
nervous system (see inhalation), respiration (dyspnea), metabolism,
cardiovascular system.
* Chronic Potential Health Effects: Inhalation and Ingestion:
Prolonged or repeated inhalation or ingestion may affect the liver,
blood (changes in red blood cell count, pigmented or nucleated red
blood cells, microcytosis with or without anemia, erythropenia,
reticulocytosis, granulocytosis, leukocytosis), urinary system
(kidneys -hematuria), metabolism (weight loss), endocrine system
(spleen, thymus, pancreas). Prolonged or repeated inhalation of
high concentrations may also cause lung hemmorrhage, congestion,
bronchopneumonia.
* Classified in Canada as CLASS D-1A: Material causing immediate and
serious toxic effects (VERY TOXIC).
* Classified in Canada as CLASS D-2B: Material causing other toxic
effects (TOXIC)

What does the EPA say about the human health effects expected as a
result of using the dispersants?

The EPA warning about human health affects says

People working with dispersants are strongly advised to use a half
face filter mask or an air-supplied breathing apparatus to protect
their noses, throats, and lungs, and they should wear nitrile or PVC
gloves, coveralls, boots, and chemical splash goggles to keep
dispersants off skin and out of their eyes. CDC provides more
information on [47]reducing occupational exposures while working
with dispersants during the Gulf Oil Spill Response.
* [48]Material Data Safety Sheet for Corexit 9500A (PDF) (11pp., 88
K, [49]About PDF)
* [50]Material Data Safety Sheet for Corexit 9527A (PDF) (11 pp., 132
K, [51]About PDF)

Hasn't BP switched over to a new less toxic version of Corexit

BP does claim that since it now using the more environmentally friendly
version of Corexit it can not be verified whether or not the newer
version contains 2-butoxyethanol or not.

BP and the manufacturer to date have refused to release a list of all
of the chemicals contained in Corexit 9500 claiming that the
ingredients are proprietary.

It is quite possible that 2-butoxyethanol or an even more hazardous
substance is contained in Corexit 9500.

Corexit 9500, like Corexit 9527, also contains Propylene Glycol a
substance generally recognized as safe for human consumption.

However, Propylene Glycol depletes oxygen from water 5 times greater
than raw sewage and the massive amounts used in the BP Gulf oil spill
could help contribute to dead zones in the Gulf where aquatic life can
not survive.

What about the effects of Corexit on the oil spill clean up workers

During the Exxon Valdez another version of Corexit was used to clean up
the oil.

CNN reports that the average life expectancy of workers who cleaned up
the Exxon Valdez is 51 years old and most of those workers are now
dead.

Watch this CNN video on how the dispersants are affecting the cleanup
workers which claims that BP is putting its public image over the
safety of those cleaning up the oil spill.
[EMBED]

References:

* Deepwater Horizon Response Current Operations page
retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[52]http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doctype/2931/53339/

* COREXIT 9527A Manufacturer MSDS retrieved 07/08/2010 from
[53]http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/posted/2931/Corexit_EC9527A_MSDS.539295.pdf

* COREXIT 9500 Manufacturer MSDS retrieved 07/08/2010 from
[54]http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/posted/2931/Corexit_EC9500A_MSDS.539287.pdf

* COREXIT 9500 EPA MSDS Product Data retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[55]http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/ncp/products/corex950.htm

* COREXIT 9527A EPA MSDS Product Data retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[56]http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/ncp/products/corex952.htm

* UK Dispersant Testing Guidelines retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[57]http://www.cefas.co.uk/publications/techrep/tech102.pdf

* Act For Climate Justice* retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[58]http://www.actforclimatejustice.org/2010/05/exclusive-no-toxicity-tests-on-bp%E2%80%99s-dispersant/

*Information from this source verified using other resources above.

* The BP Spill, litigation, and health dangers from Pesticides
retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[59]http://www.archive.org/details/TheBpSpillLitigationAndHealthDan
gersFromPesticides - [60]Audio file of the radio broadcast 27 MB
MP3

* Pesticide Database Listing for Corexit - retrieved 01/05/2010 from
[61]http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Product.jsp?REG_NR=00892800
006&DIST_NR=008928

* Pesticide Listing For 2-Butoxyethanol (Corexit Main Ingredient)
retrieved 06/07/2010 from
[62]http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC35051

* Additional Pesticide Listing Showing the uses for 2-Butoxyethanol
(Corexit Main Ingredient) are as Fungicide, Microbiocide, Solvent,
Adjuvant retrieved 06/07/2010 from
[63]http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC35051

* Neurotoxin Listing For 2-Butoxyethanol (Corexit Main Ingredient)
from NeuroResearch Clinics, Inc a research project published by the
Minnesota School of Medicine retrieved 06/07/2010 from
[64]http://www.neuroassist.com/Neurotoxins.htm

* EPA Toxicity Warning Labels
retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[65]http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Docs/ref_products.html#EPAWarning

* The Watering Hole
Resource used to find list of more information about Corexit
retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[66]http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/the-watering-hole-may-7-a
nd-now-the-chemical-spill/

* The Science Blogs
retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[67]http://scienceblogs.com/speakeasyscience/2010/05/a_lethal_conce
ntration.php

* COMPARATIVE TOXICITY OF TWO OIL DISPERSANTS, SUPERDISPERSANT-25
AND COREXIT 9527, TO A RANGE OF COASTAL SPECIES
retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[68]http://publicfiles.dep.state.fl.us/DEAR/Oil%20Spill/Bioremediat
ion%20and%20Dispersant%20Literature/Toxicity%20of%20Superdispersant
-25%20and%20Corexit%209527.pdf

* 2-butoxyethanol Material Safety Data Sheet
retrieved 05/06/2010 from
[69]http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-2_Butoxyethanol-9923187

* Stone Prep MSDS
Contains additional state safety data on 2-butoxyethanol
retrieved 05/06/2010 from
[70]http://www.thisoldgrout.com/msds/stoneprep.pdf

* TOXICITY OF SOUTH LOUISIANA CRUDE OIL, ALASKAN NORTH SLOPE CRUDE
OIL AND DISPERSANT COREXIT 9500 TO GULF KILLIFISH, WHITE SHRIMP,
AND EASTERN OYSTER
retrieved 06/05/2010 from
[71]http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-1113103-122552/unrestrict
ed/Liu_thesis.pdf

* Monitoring biodegradation of creosote in soils using radiolabels,
toxicity tests, and chemical analysis
retrieved on 06/05/2010 from
[72]http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/71006506/abstract

* Oil and dispersed oil toxicity to amphipods and snails
retrieved on 06/05/2010 from [73]http://bit.ly/aTruF6

* BP response to EPA on why it will continue to use Corexit retrieved
07/08/2010 from
[74]http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants/5-21bp-response.pdf

* Dispersants Approved in UK and Reason Corexit Was Removed from List
in 1998 retrieved 07/08/2010 from
[75]http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/protecting/pollution/documen
ts/approval_approved_products.pdf

* Washington Post Reports BP Using both Corexit 9500 and Corexit 9527
retrieved 07/08/2010 from
[76]http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=382521

* BP's Response To The EPA Directive To Stop Using Corexit retrieved
07/08/2010 from
[77]http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants/5-21bp-response.pdf

* EPA Response To BP's refusal to stop using Corext retrieved
07/08/2010 from
[78]http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants/Rainey-letter-052610.pdf

You can find more information on the toxicity of Corexit [79]here,
[80]here and [81]here.

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