[BP response re alleged health impacts of dispersants used in cleanup of oil spill in US gulf
The Gulf states, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Coast Guard (USCG) authorized BP to use dispersants in response to the spill. All dispersant use was under their direction...Potential effects on humans theoretically could occur through inhalation of dispersants at or near the site where they are applied, or through consumption of seafood that is tainted with oil and dispersants. For both of these potential exposure pathways, measures have been taken to ensure that human health impacts are minimized. Workers applying dispersants at sea, and those working with them and near them, have had the personal protective equipment recommended by the dispersant maker...EPA conducts extensive air monitoring along the shoreline, to protect members of the public. To date, EPA has not detected any dispersant components in the air, meaning there is no inhalation risk for people on the coastline. EPA also has not detected any increase in volatile chemicals associated with the oil spill along the coastline.