If you recall, Jerrold Nadler and James Oberstar sent a letter to the EPA and the Department of Labor about the use of dispersants and other toxic agents.
Now Ed Markey is giving it a go with a letter to the FDA:
The entire letter can be seen here. For all my posts about the dangers of dispersants, please go here, including this one from a few minutes ago.
It’s somewhat reassuring to see members of Congress jumping all over this. I say somewhat, because real reassurance will come with real answers and real solutions.
Here is an excerpt from the Nadler/Oberstar letter:
“There are several hazardous substances present in the oil and in the chemical dispersants that are supposed to break up the oil, forming a ‘toxic soup.’ The dispersant that BP has chosen to use, Corexit, is considered one of the most toxic. Last week, several cleanup workers were taken to the hospital complaining of nausea, shortness of breath and other respiratory ailments,” said Oberstar. “It is the federal government’s responsibility to enforce public health and safety laws. Unfortunately, at the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attack, OSHA rules were not enforced, and thousands of emergency responders, area workers and residents are now sick and receiving treatment. This must not happen to those living and working in the Gulf Coast area.”
There have been so many concerns, so many questions, and yet there seems to be a reluctance to respond. I’m not sure what to make of that, but at least some of these should be answered sooner than later. What’s the hold up?
It may be nothing (according to Hugh Kaufman, a senior policy analyst at the EPA’s office of solid waste and emergency response, that’s doubtful) , but even the appearance of reticence or a lack of transparency isn’t exactly the best way to go these days… or any days.
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