NAPERVILLE, Ill., June 30, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nalco (NYSE:NLC) issued the following statement related to today's release of EPA dispersant test results:
"We are pleased that the EPA's initial testing results of dispersant alternatives continue to show the safety of our COREXIT 9500 dispersants," said Dr. David Horsup, Division Vice President, Research and Development for Nalco's Energy Services division.
In announcing the test results, EPA Assistant Administrator Paul Anastas said the EPA is not recommending any change in dispersants used to fight the Gulf spill's impact.
The agency's press release said all the dispersants it tested, including COREXIT 9500, "have roughly the same impact on aquatic life" and none displayed biologically significant endocrine disrupting activity. In fish species tests COREXIT 9500 was identified by the EPA as one of two products included in the safest category. The EPA also stated that dispersants biodegrade, have not been found in the water column and have not settled on the floor of the gulf.
"We have always supported a systematic, science-based process to evaluate the dispersants being used to break up the oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico," added Dr. Horsup. "We agree that additional testing on alternative products is needed to allow responders to best evaluate their choices, including tests considering biodegradation, bioaccumulation, carcinogenicity and effectiveness.
"Significant public data is already available on our dispersants for all of these important product attributes, he said. "Nalco also supports improved dispersant performance testing that more closely reflect real-world conditions in treating oil spills."
Federal air, water and human health monitoring data has continually indicated that there has not been any negative effect on workers or marine life related to the use of dispersant, while federal officials have repeatedly stated that COREXIT dispersants have helped to substantially reduce the amount of oil hitting Gulf Coast shorelines.
About Nalco
Nalco is the world's leading water treatment and process improvement company, delivering significant environmental, social and economic performance benefits to our customers. We help our customers reduce energy, water and other natural resource consumption, enhance air quality, minimize environmental releases and improve productivity and end products while boosting the bottom line. Together our comprehensive solutions contribute to the sustainable development of customer operations. Nalco is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. More than 11,500 Nalco employees operate in 150 countries supported by a comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and research centers to serve a broad range of end markets. In 2009, Nalco achieved sales of more than $3.7 billion. For more information visit www.nalco.com.
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