There are thousands of people in Galveston, TX. who have signed up to be part of a class action lawsuit against BP (NYSE:BP). They are afraid that they have been exposed and will suffer long term effects caused by a benzene leak at a BP facility.
In papers filed in court, the lawsuit alleges the release of over 500,000 pounds of chemicals, 17,000 pounds of which was benzene. It's being said the chemicals have harmed property values in the area as well as putting the health of citizens at risk.
This incident happened April 6th, when the company was having problems with a hydrogen compressor in their Texas City plant. There was a fire which compromised the seal of the compressor which made BP have to burn off the gases. The company worked to fix the problem over the following 40 day, there was 583,000 pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air.
Showing posts with label toxic chemicals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toxic chemicals. Show all posts
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Top Kill Failed, Wildlife Fatalities Continue Thanks To BP (NYSE:BP)
As the devastating news came Saturday evening that BP's (NYSE:BP) "top kill" attempt failed, this only means continued disaster to the delicate ecosystems that the oil spill is already destroying. Not to mention the wildlife and sea life that this will continue to devastate for years to come.
Among these are the Gulf of Mexico's 8,300 species, from the smallest plankton to the birds that live, breed, and eat from these waters. There are also numerous animals on the verge of extinction that the crude oil could wipe out all together, such as the Atlantic blue fin tuna and the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, to name just a couple.
Paul Montagna, professor of ecology, said, "instead of creating a typical spill, where the oil goes to the surface and you can scoop it up, this stuff has been distributed throughout the water column, and that means everything, absolutely everything is being effected."
As if the oil isn't enough, the toxic chemicals being dispersed a mile below the surface, are changing the composition of the oil entirely. The effects of this are preventing the oil from breaking down, as well as changing the consistency to being much oilier and much gooier.
"It's probably going to be one of the worst disaster we've ever seen," said Montagna.
Among these are the Gulf of Mexico's 8,300 species, from the smallest plankton to the birds that live, breed, and eat from these waters. There are also numerous animals on the verge of extinction that the crude oil could wipe out all together, such as the Atlantic blue fin tuna and the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, to name just a couple.
Paul Montagna, professor of ecology, said, "instead of creating a typical spill, where the oil goes to the surface and you can scoop it up, this stuff has been distributed throughout the water column, and that means everything, absolutely everything is being effected."
As if the oil isn't enough, the toxic chemicals being dispersed a mile below the surface, are changing the composition of the oil entirely. The effects of this are preventing the oil from breaking down, as well as changing the consistency to being much oilier and much gooier.
"It's probably going to be one of the worst disaster we've ever seen," said Montagna.
Friday, May 28, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP): 22 Mile Long Oil Plume Heading To Florida
Off the BP (NYSE:BP) work site, a 22 mile long and 6 mile wide oil plume has been discovered by the University of South Florida college of Marine Sciences researchers. They say it is preparing to enter a underwater canyon. The effects of this would be devastating.
This massive plume is dangerously close to entering a large underwater canyon, once the crude oil enters this canyon the plants and animals that feed larger organisms will be bathed in a toxic chemical and oil soup. This canyon is responsible for fueling the food chain off the Gulf in Florida.
David Hollander, associate professor of chemical oceanography said, "the plume was detected just beneath the surface down to about 3,300 feet." He said their team found the thickest amounts of hydrocarbons at around 1,300 feet below in the same spot on two separate days this week.
Further testing by the researchers is planned to determine if the hydrocarbons they discovered are from the emulsification of oil or results of dispersants used as they made their way from the well into the sea.
This massive plume is dangerously close to entering a large underwater canyon, once the crude oil enters this canyon the plants and animals that feed larger organisms will be bathed in a toxic chemical and oil soup. This canyon is responsible for fueling the food chain off the Gulf in Florida.
David Hollander, associate professor of chemical oceanography said, "the plume was detected just beneath the surface down to about 3,300 feet." He said their team found the thickest amounts of hydrocarbons at around 1,300 feet below in the same spot on two separate days this week.
Further testing by the researchers is planned to determine if the hydrocarbons they discovered are from the emulsification of oil or results of dispersants used as they made their way from the well into the sea.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Has Used 655,000 Gallons Of Now Banned Chemicals
BP (NYSE:BP) has dispersed a minimum of 655,000 chemicals in the Gulf that are now banned. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this is the largest application of dispersant's every used in the history of oil spills.
The two dispersant's being used are from a line called Corexit, both these dispersant's were banned from use on oil spills in the U.K. over 10 years ago due to the failure of their toxicity tests. What's actually used is kept secret by manufactures, the EPA said they are required by law to protect this information.
Corexit had been on the approved list of dispersant's put out by the EPA despite them being more toxic and less effective. A version of Corexit was used on the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989, it was linked later to human health problems. Nervous system, kidney, liver, blood, and respiratory problems are just some of the related health problems due to Corexit.
BP has been asked to switch to less toxic dispersant's within 72 hours.
The two dispersant's being used are from a line called Corexit, both these dispersant's were banned from use on oil spills in the U.K. over 10 years ago due to the failure of their toxicity tests. What's actually used is kept secret by manufactures, the EPA said they are required by law to protect this information.
Corexit had been on the approved list of dispersant's put out by the EPA despite them being more toxic and less effective. A version of Corexit was used on the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989, it was linked later to human health problems. Nervous system, kidney, liver, blood, and respiratory problems are just some of the related health problems due to Corexit.
BP has been asked to switch to less toxic dispersant's within 72 hours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)