"Canadian researcher Peter Wells in 1984 concluded that part of the problem with oil dispersants is that their toxicity appears to be linked to their effectiveness: Effective dispersants are too toxic, and nontoxic dispersants are ineffective" quoted by ADN 8-15-89
http://www.adn.com/evos/stories/EV147.html
Coast Guard Vice Adm. Clyde Robbins, the on-scene coordinator for the spill cleanup
"What in the world are we doing testing this stuff now?" Robbins asks.