Oil Dispersants - Corexit And Dispersit

Allegedly there are two widely used dispersants, Corexit and Dispersit. These chemicals break up oil in the water and are being approved for use in the Gulf.

According to Wire, Dispersit is the superior of the two. It is allegedly less toxic to the wild life and is "more ecologically friendly." It is a water based product.

(Hey I am just repeating what I am reading.)

However it appears that Corexit is actually being used. Corexit is more toxic to the wild life.

Why would the worse product be getting used? I have not followed the money trail but I suspect that it will lead to the answer.

Wired: Toxic Oil Dispersant Used in Gulf Despite Better Alternative

...are using a toxic chemical to disperse oil in the Gulf of Mexico, even though a better alternative appears to be available.


Called Dispersit, it’s manufactured by the U.S. Polychemical Corporation and has been approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency. Both Corexit and Dispersit were tested by the EPA, and according to those results, Corexit was 54.7 percent effective at breaking down crude oil from the Gulf, and Dispersit was 100 percent effective.


Not only did Corexit do a worse job of dispersing oil, but it was three times as lethal to silverfish – used as a benchmark organism in toxicity testing — and more than twice as lethal to shrimp, another benchmark organism and an important part of Gulf fisheries.

Nalco Company: COREXIT® Technology

Prompt deployment of Nalco COREXIT® oil spill dispersants is one very effective and proven method of minimizing the impact of a spill on the environment. When the COREXIT dispersants are deployed on the spilled oil, the oil is broken up into tiny bio-degradable droplets that immediately sink below the surface where they continue to disperse and bio-degrade. This quickly removes the spilled oil from surface drift…reducing direct exposure to birds, fish and sea animals in the spill environment. By keeping the oil from adhering to wildlife COREXIT dispersants effectively protect the environment.


Nalco also offers a COREXIT technology designed for shoreline protection and cleaning. It has been specifically designed to remove a wide range of crude oil and petroleum products from contaminated shoreline surfaces, including certain vegetation. Major test programs at both Louisiana State University and the University of Miami clearly showed that COREXIT EC9580A can save mangroves and marsh grass if applied early after oiling.

Polychem: POLYCHEM DISPERSIT

Polychem Dispersit SPC 1000 is an EPA reviewed, NCP listed water based dispersant to be used on oil discharges or oil spills in accordance with the procedures set forth by the U.S. Coast Guard and other governmental agencies. Polychem Dispersit SPC 1000 has been included in the NCP Product Schedule for use as a dispersant for oil spills.


Polychem Dispersit SPC 1000 is a unique aqueous composition with highly effective emulsifiers, dispersants and a water-soluble coupling solvent. Polychem Dispersit SPC 1000 contains no petroleum solvents. Independent testing (J L Ross Env. Ltd.) confirmed that Dispersit has significant effectiveness in fresh and brackish water. Dispersit is particularly well suited for application via a vessel based education system because it maintains effectiveness when diluted with water unlike petroleum based products.


Polychem Dispersit SPC 1000 has an overall effectiveness† of 73%, almost 50% better than the EPA requirement and the dominant product and has considerably less aquatic toxicity†† than the dominant petroleum based dispersant. Polychem Dispersit SPC 1000 contains no hazardous material and hence is user-friendly and environmentally safe.