EPA Unsure Of Longterm Effects Of Dispersants In Gulf

Robert Hune-Kalter - Talk Radio News Service

According to an EPA official, it may take time to determine the permanent environmental effects of the chemical dispersants used by BP to combat the massive oil spill off the Gulf Coast.

“The long-term effects on aquatic life are still significantly unknown and BP has used over 1.8 million gallons of dispersants, a volume never before used in the United States,” Dr. Paul Anastas, the Assistant Administrator for Research and Development at the EPA, said during a hearing Wednesday with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

While the use of dispersants has been criticized by many environmentalists, Anastas explained that the dispersants are keeping oil off the beaches of the Gulf and away from sensitive ecosystems.

Anastas asserted that the oil spill has made it evident that additional research is needed.

“We want to have more science, more data, [and] more testing, upfront, so when we’re making decisions in an emergency situation, you have that data [and] you have that perspective at your fingertips,” he said.