Posts Tagged ‘BP oil spill’

Mysterious illnesses linked to BP oil disaster aftermath

Health risks of BP oil disaster

Newscast Media — Illnesses that appear to be spreading and worsening amongst Gulf Coast residents have been linked to chemicals present in BP’s oil and toxic dispersants used during the clean-up of the Gulf of Mexico last July. According to the US Government, BP’s oil disaster released at least 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. BP has used at least 1.9 million gallons of toxic dispersants, that are banned in at least 19 countries, to sink the oil.

On June 4, 2010, New York Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand was concerned about the after effects of chemical exposure to those cleaning up the Gulf, she urged Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to use her legal authority to force BP to disclose confidential information related to the chemicals used in the dispersants. There were growing concerns over the
confidential chemical make-up of the dispersant being used in the Gulf and its potential long-term health risk to workers in the clean-up effort and further damages to the local environment, on top of exposure to the oil.

Others who were concerned about the health risks associated with the chemicals used also voiced their opinions.

“We’re very concerned about the impact of the disaster on the public health of people in the gulf region,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on May 30, 2010, as she outlined steps the government was taking to respond to any physical and mental health problems that emerge from the spill. Many of the chemicals present in the oil and dispersants are known to cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, kidney damage, altered renal functions, irritation of the digestive tract, lung damage, burning pain in the nose and throat, coughing, pulmonary edema, cancer, lack of muscle coordination, dizziness, confusion, irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, difficulty breathing, delayed reaction time, memory difficulties, stomach discomfort, liver and kidney damage, unconsciousness, tiredness/lethargy, irritation of the upper respiratory tract, and hematological disorders.

The Environmental Protection Agency released its findings and admitted that the dispersants which included the deadly Corexit 9500A, ranged from moderately toxic to highly toxic. The test results from the EPA can be read here in this PDF. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Corexit 9500A has been declared an Acute (immediate) Health Hazard. The exact rule is: OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION RULE, 29 CFR 1910.1200

The entire MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet for Corexit.

Florida never issued any advisories, despite many residents reporting illnesses they attribute to the oil disaster. US federal government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with President Barack Obama himself, have declared the Gulf of Mexico, its waters, beaches, and seafood, safe and open to the public.

“It’s criminal for the government to tell people to eat the contaminated seafood, and that it’s alright for people go to our toxic beaches and swim in the contaminated water,” an area doctor said, “This crisis has to be taken seriously by the government and health care community.”

http://www.newscastmedia.com/bp-illnesses.html

Gulf of Mexico oil drilling moratorium to be lifted

Oil rig

Newscast Media –The US government has confirmed that the deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico is to be lifted. The six month ban was enforced after the BP oil spill that happened early last Spring, but calls had been growing for it to be ended due to its impact on the economy.

Oil firms will first have to meet a new set of safety rules before deep-water drilling can resume. Officials say it would take at least a couple of weeks before permits are approved that will allow companies to continue drilling.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said: “Operators who play by the rules and clear the higher bar can be allowed to resume drilling.

“The oil and gas industry will be operating under tighter rules, stronger oversight, and in a regulatory environment that will remain dynamic as we continue to build on the reforms we have already implemented.”

An estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf as a result of BP’s negligence, and by September 19, 2010, the company claimed that the oil had allegedly been completely sealed. http://newscastmedia.com/deepwater-drilling.htm

$3 billion deposited by BP into $20 billion relief fund for victims

BP

Newscast Media — According to BP officials, after completing talks with the US Department of Justice, BP had deposited $3 billion into a $20 billion compensation fund for the oil spill victims.

The fund, called an escrow account, was set up by the oil giant to compensate victims of the Gulf of Mexico spill. BP’s response has cost $6.1bn already. Meanwhile, BP’s relief well will reach the damaged well by the end of the week and start the final “kill”, the government’s incident commander said.

An additional deposit of $2bn will be made in the fourth quarter by BP, with deposits of $1.25bn being deposited each of the following quarters until the $20bn has been paid in full.

“The purpose of the escrow account was to assure those adversely affected by the spill that we indeed intend to stand behind our commitment to them and to the American taxpayers,” BP’s incoming chief executive Bob Dudley said in a statement.

Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli later said the justice department was “pleased that BP made an initial contribution and has taken an important step toward honoring its commitment to the president and the residents and business owners in the Gulf region”.

The account will be overseen by lawyer Kenneth Feinberg, who managed compensation claims made by victims of the 9/11 attacks. http://newscastmedia.com/bp-fund.htm

BP boss to get pension of $930,000 per year upon leaving this October

BP boss Tony Hayward

Newscast Media — Tony Hayward, the BP chief executive, will receive a pension of $930,000 which will be effective immediately after he leaves the company in October.

Because Mr Hayward was leaving by mutual agreement rather than being fired, the BP board felt it had to honor the terms of its contract with him. The contract stipulates that that those who joined before April 2006 can take the pension at any point from age 50. Mr Hayward is 53.

U.S. politicians along with residents of the Gulf coast critisized Mr. Hayward for his handling of the spill, including saying that he “just wanted his life back” and that the Gulf of Mexico was a “big ocean” following the leak. Either way, the size of his pension is sure to ruffle some feathers among casual observers.

http://newscastmedia.com/bp-boss.htm