[OldDeckHand]

"I will still defend my position that the OIL, and the GAS, and the DISPERSANT are releasing certain chemicals into the atmosphere that could (and may already have ) cause(d) considerable damage, and that long term exposure to them (like over 4 hours, per the EPA and BP) is harmful to humans, plants, and animals."

Remember, the oil will break down on its own absent the application of any dispersant. The dispersant just hastens the natural process. With or without it, all the volatile chemicals contained in the oil are going to escape into the atmosphere, if they themselves aren't degraded before then.

[UCANSEE2]

With or without it, all the volatile chemicals contained in the oil are going to escape into the atmosphere, if they themselves aren't degraded before then.

I agree. However , in this case, it is WITH IT, and HUGE AMOUNTS OF IT.

I am not as concerned with what chemicals are released by the OIL as I am with what comes out of the DISPERSANT.

Since oil leaks from the ground, leaks from the ocean floor, ALL THE TIME, along with METHANE, It would appear we don't have to worry about it as much as we do an 'artificial combination of chemicals which NALCO says are not that dangerous (but don't breath it in for more than four hours).