Five Most Commonly Asked Questions about the Gulf Oil Spill

GULF OIL SPILL INTRODUCTION

We wondered how to answer the top-most questions people have about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Questions were largely on the spill's environmental impact, EPA's actions, and chemical mixtures. To get answers, we interviewed a Chemical Engineer and Industrial Hygienist, Kal Kawar. Kawar serves as EVP of Portsmouth-based Actio Corporation, makers of chemical management software and he speaks internationally on matters relating to industry and Environmental Regulations. We asked him what stands out to him in the Gulf Oil Spill disaster. His answer surprised us.

Kawar pointed to the Safety aspect of the event. That was a reminder! Before there was an oil spill, there was a major Safety Fail. That Safety Fail led to an incredible, fatal explosion.

"Of course," Kawar said, "we are deeply concerned about the the environmental impact of the Gulf spill and on the chemicals being used to try to corral the damage. As the oil spreads, the focus will be on the environment, which is natural. Yet, we also must remember the human element. Lives were lost. Families sent loved ones to work that day and those loved ones never came home."

"The initial equipment failure needs to be investigated thoroughly," Kawar said.

Who investigates the initial explosion? "The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Association, or OSHA, investigates every such incident," Kawar explained. "Problem in the Gulf is, there's nothing left to investigate. Just records. Hopefully there are records, I should say."

We do have pictures of the explosion but can't bring ourselves to post them here on the blog. It seems exploitative. But for the record, here are pictures of the event from CNBC -- pictures have more impact than words sometimes. And CNBC has to post them, we don't.

TOP FIVE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GULF OIL SPILL

What we can add to the larger discussion of the BP Oil Spill -- and what might actually be helpful/forward-moving -- are facts and insight about the environmental impact. Mr. Kawar helped us with the following questions. We filled in some reference quotes for support.

1. Why is the spill spreading so quickly?

Oil doesn't mix with water: so the oil doesn't disperse, it just floats along the surface, pushed by tide and breeze, like a surface-craft. Mixing with air and water makes the oil into a type of "mousse" - think hair mousse.

"... picture rolling patches of frothy, wind-whipped and water saturated brown ooze," says the News Press with a very apt description. The Ooze is still making it way across the Gulf at this posting.

2. Why doesn’t oil mix with water?

Basically: every molecule is either polar or non-polar. Polar molecules have a positive charge on one end and a negative charge on the other, and non-polar ones, as you’d expect, have no charge. Water is polar and oil is non-polar, and like molecules attract like molecules, so neither is as attracted to the other as to itself. It is possible to create an emulsion, which is a suspension of the molecules of one in the other, but that’s much more chemically complex. An example of an emulsion is vinaigrette salad dressing, which is an emulsion of oil and vinegar. (More such kid-friendly explanations available from Wired.)

After prolonged mixing with water and air, experts call the emulsion "mousse."

What is "mousse?" It's really just a nice word for "Ooze."

3. What's in the chemical mix used to absorb the oil?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved 14 dispersants for use on oil spills, including Corexit, manufactured by Nalco Holding Co (as reported by Reuters, May 4, 2010).

Very few know exactly what's in the chemical mixtures used to fight the oil spill -- because the formulations are proprietary. However, the U.S. EPA continues to investigate and has determined each chemical mixture in use as "not harmful" to the environment. At least, not harmful relative to the alternative. Don't expect to see any of this stuff featured at your next trip to the health spa.

Kawar says of the chemical mixture, "It's the lesser of two evils." The EPA -- and the public -- are betting that he's right.

4. What is EPA and BP doing to fix it?

They are - in their words - trying anything. The engineers are reportedly "trying anything people can think of" to stop the leak, said Ed Overton, a LSU professor of environmental studies. (That quote from the Guardian UK.)

On the EPA site there is even a place to register your technology for clean-up. Which is a good use of the Web. If you have a tool they haven't thought of yet, submit it at the link above.

5. What else is EPA doing?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted on Sunday, May 9, 2010, information on BP’s use of dispersants to its oil spill response website, www.epa.gov/bpspill. The site includes EPA’s plan to monitor BP’s use of dispersants as well as additional background information and frequently asked questions on dispersants. EPA will add information to the site as we go. The dispersant page can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants.html.

Here's a crane fishing near his home in southern waters...

...please take a moment to consider:

Crane in Texas Lake

photo by kmhurley for Actio.net

Thanks for your time today.