BP Fails to Stop Using Toxic Dispersant to Help Protect Environment and Wildlife

You would think by now that British Petroleum would have their tail tucked between their legs, their ears pinned back, but doing whatever it takes to restore their reputation as a "green" energy company. And it is no coincidence at all that we are no longer being barraged with their clever "green" advertising commercials on television anymore, don't ya think? The only things green about this horrific disaster is the color of our faces as we are sickened by the impact this is making on our delicate wild life, and the humongous profits that the company continue to churn out every minute. Can you tell that I am beyond rage as I write this?

And as the oil spill continues to gush millions of gallons a day into the Gulf of Mexico waters, to make matters even worse, BP has even recently refused to comply with demands made by government officials and environmentalists to change the chemicals they are presently and doggedly using to a far less toxic dispersant to help break up the oil spill. They are still continuing to use an ineffective and highly toxic product. Could it possibly be that they have huge financial ties to the company producing it? Nah!

This past Thursday, the United States Environmental Protection Agency gave BP 72 hours to comply with their request to replace the dispersant, Corexit 9500 or to provide written proof why other, less toxic chemicals do not meet environmental standards. In a 12 page reply released by the agency on Saturday BP basically stated that if they released this information completely, it would violate their "legal right" to keep their company business confidential. The EPA is leaning on BP to force them to release this information by responding to them stating it is, "evaluating all legal options so Americans can get a full picture of the potential environmental impact of these alternative dispersants."

Since the April 20 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion, 715,000 gallons of dispersant have been applied mainly to the spill's surface. The chemical has also been released on the seafloor near the leaking pipe. These chemicals are designed to break the oil up into droplets so that it will decompose more rapidly, however scientists are concerned about the extensive use of these chemicals used to combat the BP oil spill is increasing the exposure to the toxins in the oil.

Last week the EPA stated, "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. Much is unknown about the underwater use of dispersants."

It is still unknown what the total impact will be upon marine life, other animals and birds that are found in the area affected by the oil spill. It is thought that possibly the oil spill has already made an impact on wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico region. Found dead are Sea turtles, brown pelicans and many species of fish. Six dolphins have been found dead in Mississippi and Alabama according to a report made by the National Marine Fisheries Service, although it is still unknown if these deaths were caused by toxic waste or natural deaths due to calving difficulties. Tissue samples are presently being examined to find the cause of these deaths.

But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to predict that the environmental impact on our wildlife by this major disaster, with its concomitant dangerous toxic and apparently impotent clean up by BP will affect all wild life native to the area. What is also of great concern to environmentalists and wild life rescue groups is what the long range effects on future generations of animals will be.

Take a moment to watch this hypocritical commercial released by BP using illustrations by Scamp Factory. I think it is about time that BP starts practicing what they preach.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and share them.

Photo: Brown Pelican cared for at a Fort Jackson, Louisiana rescue Center. Photo Credit: Tri-State Bird Rescue and International Bird Rescue Research Center