Mandated by the US EPA , British Petroleum (BP) was ordered to reduce the amount of dispersants being utilized. "BP shall implement measures to limit the total amount of surface and subsurface dispersant applied each day to the minimum amount possible. BP shall establish an overall goal of reducing dispersant application by 75% from the maximum daily amount used...."
One of the primary dispersants been utilized is Corexit(r) 9500. NALCO, the manufacturer warns on the material data safety sheet (MSDS): "Do not get in eyes, on skin, on clothing. Do not take internally. Avoid breathing vapor. Use with adequate ventilation. In case
of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap and water."
"EPA's results indicated that none of the eight dispersants tested, including the product in use in the Gulf, displayed biologically significant endocrine disrupting activity. While the dispersant products alone – not mixed with oil - have roughly the same impact on aquatic life, JD-2000 and Corexit 9500 were generally less toxic to small fish and JD-2000 and SAF-RON GOLD were least toxic to mysid shrimp."
The EPA called for further testing. The next phase of EPA’s testing will assess the acute toxicity of multiple concentrations of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil alone and combinations of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil with each of the eight dispersants for two test species.
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