Topic: Dispersants

Farmers along the Mississippi River border in Tennessee and Mississippi are reporting mysterious white spots and holes in their crops and trees. The damage has affected organic and conventional farms alike, leading to speculation that evaporated oil and Corexit dispersants are returning to earth as toxic rain. Local reports also mention dead birds and concerns for livestock grazing on affected grass.

A clip from C-SPAN features Kimberly Wolfe, a former environmental scientist in New Orleans, protesting the use of chemical dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico. She lists the health risks associated with Corexit, including central nervous system damage. The hosts discuss the desperation of local residents who feel ignored by the government and BP.

The Coast Guard and BP contractors are reported to be restricting media access to oil-slicked beaches in the Gulf of Mexico under threat of arrest. Reports of dead sea turtles and dolphins are questioned, as the hosts note a lack of visual evidence showing animals actually covered in oil. Concerns are raised that chemical dispersants like Corexit may be more toxic than the oil itself.

The chemical composition of Corexit 9500, the dispersant used in the Gulf of Mexico, is examined for its potential environmental impact. The substance contains propylene glycol and organic sulfonic acid salts, which act as powerful detergents to break down oil. The hosts warn that while it makes oil water-soluble, it is highly toxic to marine life and human skin.