Four years after the massive BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, an ingredient found in the controversial dispersants that were used to break down oil are still being found in tar balls along Gulf Coast beaches. The discovery of this ingredient, which is commonly found in human laxatives, has alarmed environmentalists and the public alike. Its presence four years later stands in stark opposition to the message sent by BP and EPA officials during the spill that dispersants evaporated quickly from the environment.
More than 1.8 million gallons of chemical dispersants were used to clean up the oil spill, being injected into the subsurface of oil slicks in an effort to prevent the slicks from reaching beaches and marshes.
The study that sparked this finding was published by scientists at Haverford College and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Their research paper, which was published in Environment Science & Technology Letters, states it is important for other scientists studying the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster to know the dispersants are still present in the environment.
Researchers participating in the study examined samples from deep sea corals and sediment collected in December of 2010, along with oil soaked sand found along Gulf Coast beaches from July 2010 to present. The dispersant chemical DOSS was found in variable quantities in the deep sea coral communities for at least six months after the spill and 26 to 45 months on beaches.
These results indicate that the dispersant, which was touted as safe for the environment and quick to dissipate, remains with oil in the environment and can persist for at least four years. Most surprising was the presence of DSS in the sand patties four years after the spill, as this sand has been exposed to weather, waves, temperature changes, and air, which provided ample opportunities for the dispersant to dissipate.
One question this study does not attempt to answer is what kind of danger the presence of DOSS in the environment could pose, both to marine and human life. While the concentration of DOSS is low in the samples studied, the chemical could surely have an effect on the environment.
A BP spokesman in Houston, Texas has responded to the study and rebuffed any notion that the low levels of dispersants found could pose any risk to human or aquatic life. None of the samples tested exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s safety levels for dispersants. Further, according to BP, the DOSS chemical can come from many different sources and it is not uncommon to find traces of it in the Gulf, making it difficult to isolate its source to the BP oil spill. Researchers from this study did take care to ensure the DOSS chemical was from the dispersants, however, by comparing other samples found not to contain DOSS.
Many environmentalists believe the BP oil spill has continued to have a negative impact on marine life, including tuna. The presence of dispersants raises questions as to their possible role in the death and ill-health of marine life.
Barrett Law PLLC: Helping Victims of the Catastrophic BP Deep Horizon Oil Spill
It has been four years since the BP Oil Spill pumped millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf. While many individuals have received compensation for their lost profits attributed to the impact of the spill, many more continue to suffer ongoing losses due to the still present environmental contamination. This recent studying examining the presence of dispersants four years later is just one piece of evidence supporting the ongoing damaging effect of the spill. If you have been or may have been impacted by the BP oil spill, the experienced Mississippi BP Oil Spill Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help. Call us today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation.
