On
May 4, 2010 the Materials Safety Data Sheets for the two dispersants
that we had heard were being used on the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster
were posted to the official DeepwaterHorizonResponse.com website.
The two products are Corexit 9500 (as previously reported) and also Corexit EC9527A
Corexit 9500 MSDSCorexit EC9527A MSDSThe toxicity of Corexit EC9527A is quite high, here is an extract from the Corexit EC9527A Materials Safety Data Sheet:
SAFETY DATA SHEET
PRODUCT
COREXIT(R) EC9527A
APPLICATION: OIL SPILL DISPERSANT
NFPA 704M/HMIS RATING
HEALTH: 2/ 2 FLAMMABILITY: 1/ 1 INSTABILITY: 0/ 0 OTHER:
0 = Insignificant 1 = Slight 2 = Moderate 3 = High 4 = Extreme
2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Our
hazard evaluation has identified the following chemical substance(s) as
hazardous. Consult Section 15 for the nature of the hazard(s).
Hazardous Substance(s) CAS NO % (w/w)
2-Butoxyethanol 111-76-2 30.0- 60.0
Organic sulfonic acid salt Proprietary 10.0- 30.0
Propylene Glycol 57-55-6 1.0- 5.0
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
**EMERGENCY OVERVIEW**
WARNING
Eye
and skin irritant. Repeated or excessive exposure to butoxyethanol may
cause injury to red blood cells, (hemolysis), kidney or the liver.
Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Do not
get in eyes, on skin, on clothing. Do not take internally. Use with
adequate ventilation. Wear suitable protective clothing. Keep
container tightly closed. Flush affected area with water. Keep away
from heat. Keep away from sources of ignition -No smoking.
May evolve oxides of carbon (COx) under fire conditions.
PRIMARY ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
Eye, Skin
SKIN CONTACT:
Can cause moderate irritation. Harmful if absorbed through skin.
INGESTION:
May
be harmful if swallowed. May cause liver and kidney effects and/or
damage. There may be irritation to the gastro-intestinal tract.
INHALATION:
Harmful by inhalation. Repeated or prolonged exposure may irritate the respiratory tract.
SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE:
Acute:
Excessive exposure may cause central nervous system effects, nausea, vomiting, anesthetic or narcotic effects.
Chronic:
Repeated or excessive exposure to butoxyethanol may cause injury to red blood cells (hemolysis), kidney or the liver.
AGGRAVATION OF EXISTING CONDITIONS:
Skin contact may aggravate an existing dermatitis condition.
HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS -CHRONIC:
Contains
ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (butoxyethanol). Prolonged and/or
repeated exposure through inhalation or extensive skin contact with
EGBE may result in damage to the blood and kidneys.
The Unified Command reported that as of May 6, 2010 Modular Aerial Spray System (MASS) aircraft have flown numerous dispersant
missions-dispensing the same dispersant chemical being used by BP and
the federal responders. These systems are capable of covering up to 250
acres per flight.
The
Unified Command also reported that, as of May 6, 2010, 253,000 gallons
of dispersant have been deployed and more than 317,000 gallons are
available
If you see anything fishy happening on
your waterways don't hesitate to call the Lower Mississippi Riverkeerp
hotline at 1-866-MSRIVER
