Although BP has refused to switch the type of dispersant that is being used to mitigate the amount of oil leaking through the coast, they have agreed to reduce the amount of dispersant being used. The Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) reports that they expect a 50 - 80% reduction, mostly the result of limiting the amount of dispersant used on the water's surface. Subsurface use of the dispersant has been found to be more effective, while requiring lower levels of the dispersant.
BP maintains that the dispersant currently being used, Corexit, is the safest, most readily available product, and therefore, they are unable to switch to any of the E.P.A.'s alternatives. The E.P.A. disputes this finding and has stated that they will conduct their own testing in Florida to determine the validity of BP's claims regarding the chemicals toxicity and biodegradation.
Nalco has jus recently disclosed the complete chemical constituents of Corexit to EPA to assist in the government's evaluation and testing of the otherwise proprietary formula.
Additional Resources;
Material Safety Data Sheet for Corexit
'We Have Nothing to Hide,' Oil Dispersant Maker Says (NY TImes)
