"Ottawa Approves Controversial Chemical for Ocean Oil Spills"

"Corexit’s critics say it’s ineffective and might increase damage to marine ecosystems."

"The [Canadian] federal government has quietly approved the use of a highly controversial chemical for dispersing ocean oil spills, despite growing scientific evidence it doesn’t always work as claimed and even intensifies the toxicity of oil.

Last month Environment Canada released regulations establishing a list of approved “treating agents” for oil spills that included Corexit EC 9500A, which sinks the oil and spreads it through the water column.

Exxon developed Corexit five decades ago to disperse and sink oil and avoid ugly petroleum slicks on beaches."

Andrew Nikiforuk reports for the Vancouver Tyee July 18, 2016.