An interesting paper:

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11283&page=R15




According to BP's letter, only five products meet the criteria requirements (less toxic according to standard tests, and at least as effective as Corexit EC99500A). These are Sea Brat #4, Nokomis 3-F4 and Nokomis 3-AA, Mare Clean 200, and Neos AB3000.

Of these only Sea Brat #4 is available in the near future. The letter notes:

One relevant criterion, given the amoutn of dispersant that is required at this site and the proposed application near the ocean floor, is the potential for long term effect and persistence of the chemicals in each dispersant.

In this regard, Sea Brat #4 contains a small amount of a chemical that may degrade to a nonylphenol (NP). The class of NP chemicals have been identified by various government agencies as potential endocrine disruptors, and as chemicals that may persist in the environment for a period of years. The manufacturer has not had the opportunity to evaluate this product for those potential effects, and BP has not had the opportunity to conduct independent test to evaluate this issue either. BP learned of this issue after it applied for permission to use Sea Brat #4 at the incident site.

The letter goes on to say that it would be prudent to do more evaluation, before using Sea Brat #4. It also notes that further study is needed to determine the status of the other products on the list (the ones not currently available in large quantities, quickly) with respect to the potential NP issue. COREXIT does not contain chemicals that degrade to NP. In addition, COREXIT biodegrades within 28 days, so appears to be a better choice, even though other dispersants appear to better on some tests".

http://www.greendump.net/the-oil-drum/gulf-deepwater-oil-spill-open-thread-dispersants-flow-rate-technical-team-and-other-topics


http://globemarkresources.com/JD2000.php