Oil Spill in the Gulf

Poll Conducted by the University of the Global Elite (Yale) Claims Oil Gusher is Building Support for Climate Regulation

June 9, 2010

Earth Day Network - In light of the oil spill in the Gulf Coast, a recent university study has shown increased U.S. interest in regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 77 percent of Americans polled listed carbon dioxide as a dangerous pollutant that requires increased monitoring. The oil spill has served as a harsh reminder of our limited fossil fuels and the stricter regulation and renewable energy alternatives necessary for diminishing the dangers of climate change.

This survey shows a severe shift in public opinion since the Gulf Coast catastrophe. In March, a Gallup poll highlighted a shocking statistic- nearly one half of Americans believed global warming concerns were blown out of proportion. A December 2009 poll conducted by the Neilsen Institute showed only 37 percent of Americans surveyed are “highly concerned” about climate change issues.

As we continue to watch the oil gush into the Gulf, the environmental movement is at a cross roads. President Obama has approved a temporary halt on deepwater offshore drilling but has approved drilling in shallow waters, climate legislation continues to be reviewed by Congress and the senate will vote this week on Senator Murkowski’s proposal to curb regulatory powers from the EPA in relation to greenhouse gases.

We hope the heightened public interest will spur people to take action and spike support for the suspension of offshore drilling, the need for comprehensive climate legislation, and build opposition to Senator Murkowski’s proposal.

Support for U.S. Climate Regulation Growing - Poll

June 9, 2010

* Poll comes before Senate vote on EPA climate regulation
* Poll contradicts recent Gallup survey

Reuters - A growing number of Americans want the United States to regulate greenhouse gas emissions as the largest oil spill in U.S. history helps boost interest in petroleum alternatives, a poll by two universities found on Tuesday.

About 77 percent of 1,204 Americans polled support regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant, up 6 percentage points from January, according to the poll by researchers at Yale and George Mason universities.

The oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 rig workers and has plagued fishing and coastal tourism from Texas to Florida was a factor, researchers said.

"The BP oil disaster is also reminding the public of the dark side of dependence on fossil fuels, which may be increasing support for clean energy policies," said Anthony Leiserowitz, the director of the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication.

The poll contradicted other recent surveys that showed public interest in climate change was falling.

It comes a few days before the Senate will vote on a move to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases. The outcome of the vote could have a bearing on how the Senate deals with long-delayed climate change legislation.

In March, a Gallup Poll showed a growing number of Americans, nearly half the country, thought global warming worries were exaggerated. In December, a global poll by the Neilsen Institute showed a global average of 37 percent of people were "very concerned" with climate change, down from 41 percent in 2007.

The Yale and George Mason poll showed support for expanding offshore drilling for oil and natural gas off the U.S. coast fell to 62 percent, down 5 percentage points from January.

It also found 61 percent of Americans supported requiring electric utilities to produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, even if it cost the average household an extra $100 per year, up 2 points from January.

The poll was conducted from May 14 to June 1 by Knowledge Networks, using an online research panel of American adults. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

What You Need to Know About the Oil in the Gulf

July 7, 2010

Big Government - The contents of the oils spill contain several components. Each has the potential to cause health risks to those who are exposed to them. These are some facts of some of the most toxic substances:

1.Benzene

Is an odorless liquid that has a somewhat sweet odor. It evaporates in air quickly and can dissolve into water. Therefore, it can be present in rain water carried distances and can have an effect on the ground a distance from the original source. Reports from the EPA have put the amount of Benzene measured near the Gulf of Mexico at 3,000-4,000 parts per billion (normal 0-4ppb). The EPA has set the minimum benzene exposure in drinking water at 5 ppb and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has placed safe exposure of benzene at 1part per million parts of workplace air for 8 hour shifts in a 40 hour work week. The EPA considers it a carcinogen at 1,000 ppb. Exposure to benzene vapors can cause a myriad of symptoms from headaches, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness to rashes, respiratory difficulty. It has also been linked to leukemia and lymphoma. More Benzene Facts

2. Hydrogen Sulfide

This is a colorless flammable gas that is highly toxic that has a characteristic “rotten egg” odor. It is 20% heavier than air, and therefore will accumulate on the ground and in confined spaces. At concentrations above 100 ppm the olfactory nerve (the nerve that controls the sense of smell) is affected and the person can no longer detect the foul smell. However, if the person has a prolonged exposure to a low concentration the ability to detect the smell will also be lost. Exposure to the gas at low concentrations (0-10 ppm) can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. At moderate concentrations (10-50 ppm) it can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting and cough. Respiratory difficulty; and at high concentrations (50-200 ppm) it can cause convulsions, coma and death. The EPA has measured the level of hydrogen sulfide gas in the gulf at 1000 ppm (the normal is 5-10 ppb).Most countries put a safe legal limit in the work environment of 10 ppm. In addition, protective equipment such as air respirators is mandated.

3.Methylene Chloride

Is a colorless liquid with a slightly sweet aroma. When it enters the body it is broken down into carbon monoxide. It can cause liver damage, respiratory depression, confusion, and headache. In those with heart problems it can exacerbate angina causing worsening chest pain. With chronic exposure it can cause bronchitis, problems with vision and balance problems. With prolonged contact with the skin it can cause burns. Because of its toxicity, its exposure has been limited in the workplace by OSHA . When released into the air methylene chloride has a half life of 30 days and can be carried to the ground when it rains. Studies have shown that it causes tumor formation and has been shown to cause spontaneous abortions in humans. When heated it forms hydrochloric acid, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and the highly toxic phosgene gas (which was used as a chemical weapon in WWII).

4.Corexit

The chemical used to break up the oil is broken down into propylene glycol and sulfonic acid. In humans propylene glycol can cause eye and skin irritation (dermatitis), irritation of the respiratory tract and can exacerbate eczema. However, it has an even more toxic effect on marine life since it can kill the organisms that make oxygen thereby lowering the oxygen content in water . The nature of the sulfonic acid salt in the Corexit is unknown since the formula is proprietary. However, sulfonic acid can cause irritation of the mucous membranes (in the mouth) and skin irritation.

It is clear that the oil spill in the gulf is a toxic mixture that has the potential to not only destroy the ecosystem of the gulf, but to harm the short and long term health of both the residents of the gulf and people living in neighboring states who can be adversely affected by toxins carried in the jet stream and rain carried from the gulf. It makes one wonder how long it will be before we see a rise in illnesses from not only the workers and volunteers who are cleaning up the spill without proper protective equipment such as respirators and protective clothing, but also those in neighboring states . It also makes one

BP Texas Refinery Had Huge Toxic Release Just Before Gulf Blowout

July 6, 2010

Pro Publica - Two weeks before the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, the huge, trouble-plagued BP refinery in this coastal town spewed tens of thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals into the skies.

The release from the BP facility here began April 6 and lasted 40 days. It stemmed from the company's decision to keep producing and selling gasoline while it attempted repairs on a key piece of equipment, according to BP officials and Texas regulators.

BP says it failed to detect the extent of the emissions for several weeks. It discovered the scope of the problem only after analyzing data from a monitor that measures emissions from a flare 300 feet above the ground that was supposed to incinerate the toxic chemicals.

The company now estimates that 538,000 pounds of chemicals escaped from the refinery while it was replacing the equipment. These included 17,000 pounds of benzene, a known carcinogen; 37,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides, which contribute to respiratory problems; and 186,000 pounds of carbon monoxide.

It is unclear whether the pollutants harmed the health of Texas City residents, but the amount of chemicals far exceeds the limits set by Texas and other states.

For years, the BP refinery in this town of 44,000 has been among the company's most dangerous and pollution-prone operations. A 2005 explosion killed 15 workers; four more workers have died in accidents since then. Last year, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the company $87 million for failing to address safety problems that caused the 2005 blast.

In the weeks since the Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank in the Gulf, BP has insisted that the incident, the nation's worst environmental disaster, was a disastrous but unusual misstep for a company that has done much in recent years to change its ways.

But a look at BP's record in running the Texas City refinery adds to the mounting evidence that the company's corporate culture favors production and profit margins over safety and the environment. The 40-day release echoes in several notable ways the runaway spill in the Gulf. BP officials initially underestimated the problem and took steps in the days leading up to the incident to reduce costs and keep the refinery online.

Former workers and industry experts say BP's handling of the recent release of chemicals was typical of the plant's and company's operating practices.

The 40-day emissions were initially reported by the Daily News of Galveston, Texas, but received little national attention.

The unit was never completely shut down, and if it would have been, the event probably would have received more attention. Any reduction in production for even as little as 24 hours is considered sufficiently important to be reported in the financial press to investors and others.

Michael Marr, a BP spokesman, said the company had invested more than $1 billion since 2005 to improve the refinery.

Marr said BP initially monitored the emissions using a method approved by Texas regulators. It did not show any release in "excess of regulatory exposure limits to workers or the community during anytime." Using what Marr described as a method that "enables us to better understand the unit's emissions," BP found the much higher rate of release and notified Texas regulators on June 4.

Environmental experts say the amount of chemicals released was one of the largest in recent Texas history.

"This was a giant release over that 40-day period," said Neil Carman, who worked for the regulators for 12 years before joining the Sierra Club. "Even 50,000 pounds is big."

Carman said a study he performed showed the BP Texas City Refinery was already releasing more benzene into the atmosphere than any other place in the U.S. from 1997 to 2007...