Corexit: 5 Questions About Chemical Dispersant Answered

(Aug. 13) -- BP's runaway well is close to being officially killed for good, but that doesn't mean the problem it created will be solved. The nation's worst oil spill will continue to cause issues for a long time to come.

One of those issues might stem from the inordinate amount of chemical dispersant, called Corexit, that was pumped into the Gulf of Mexico at the start of the disaster. Today, the FDA and NOAA announced they would begin testing the gulf seafood supply for dispersants after concerns about their safety raised by residents, scientists and environmentalists.

Just what is Corexit, anyway? Below, Surge Desk answers five key questions about the product.

1. What is Corexit?
Corexit is the chemical dispersant that BP and NOAA pumped into the Gulf of Mexico during the early stages of the oil spill. They used two versions of the dispersant, Corexit 9527 first, followed by Corexit 9500.

2. What are they made of?
Corexit 9527 ingredients include 2-butoxyethanol (known to cause internal bleeding and kidney damage, according to Rolling Stone) and propylene glycol. It is a chronic and acute health hazard, according to the EPA. Corexit 9500 contains propylene glycol, light petroleum distillates (which are refined from crude oil) and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, a detergent that is also used in common laxatives, according to The New York Times.

3. How does it work?
Corexit works by breaking up oil into smaller drops and then sinking it to the ocean below, with the idea being that the smaller globs of oil are more easily broken down by the environment. It's also useful for keeping oil from washing ashore or from appearing on the ocean's surface, lending it the nickname "Hides-it."

4. How much was poured into the Gulf of Mexico?
A total of 1.8 million gallons.

5. Is it dangerous to humans?
The ingredients in both versions of Corexit include chemicals that are toxic to humans. The real question now, though, is whether or not the dispersant will show up in the seafood that is caught in the gulf. The FDA and NOAA are developing a test to answer that question.

Read More: NOAA, FDA to Test for Corexit in Gulf Seafood After All