Stop worrying about COREXIT, people ! NALCO compares it to baby soap and Jello! [View All]

COREXIT 9500, the only dispersant NalcoNalco (NYSE: NLC) is manufacturing to help break up the oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, is a simple blend of six well-established, safe ingredients that biodegrade, do not bioaccumulate and are commonly found in popular household products, the company said today. The COREXIT products do not contain carcinogens or reproductive toxins. All the ingredients have been extensively studied for many yearsmany years and have been determined safe and effective by the EPA.

"Over the past few days, there has been substantial misunderstanding about the nature and composition of our product," said Erik Fyrwald, President and CEO of Nalco. "COREXIT has played a significant role in mitigating the disastrous consequences of the Gulf oil spill and has done so effectively and safely.

"To be clear, we have made available to government regulators all information related to the product, its ingredients and how it interacts with the environment. As always, we remain willing to work with the government in their efforts to minimize the ecological effects that the oil is having on the Gulf's precious natural resources."

Mr. Fyrwald cited recent statements by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Rear Admiral Mary E. Landry, who both have described the beneficial impact that dispersants have had in the Gulf. During a press conference on May 24, Administrator Jackson said the results of dispersant testing have been "positive." She added: "Our tracking indicates that the dispersants are breaking up the oil and speeding its biodegradation, with limited environmental impact at this time."

Admiral Landry added that without the timely use of dispersants, "much more" oil would have reached the shoreline from the ruptured pipe in the Gulf.

Additional technical information about COREXIT, its composition and its features follows.

Examples of everyday products with specific ingredients in common with COREXIT 9500 include:

One ingredient is used as a wetting agent in dry gelatin, beverage mixtures, and fruit juice drinks.


A second ingredient is used in a brand-name dry skin cream and also in a body shampoo.


A third ingredient is found in a popular brand of baby bath liquid.


A fourth ingredient is found extensively in cosmetics and is also used as a surface-active agent and emulsifier for agents used in food contact.


A fifth ingredient is used by a major supplier of brand name household cleaning products for "soap scum" removal.


A sixth ingredient is used in hand creams and lotions, odorless paints and stain blockers.


http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/10/05/g303484/nalco-releases-additional-technical-information-on-corexit