The largest chemical experiment in history

No one talks much about BP's gusher in the Gulf now that they capped the well, but this latest development is just horrifying.

Even as BP and US government officials continue to declare the oil spill over at Mississippi Canyon 252 and the cleanup operation an unqualified success, for the first time blood tests on sickened humans have shown signs of exposure to high levels of toxic chemicals related to crude oil and dispersants. Some of the individuals tested have not been on the beaches, were not involved in any cleanup operations or in the Gulf water -- they simply live along the Gulf Coast.

This is a must read, not just to get the full scope of the health impact, but also for the history of the petro industry's intimdiation of doctors who dare treat their victims.

This is an Agent Orange style time bomb that will be killing people for years to come and chances are good that no one will be held accountable because so few medical personnel are willing to risk their careers and even their freedom in order to chronicle the illnesses. Seriously, one doctor was wrongly convicted of robbing a bank in order to stop his work.

Apparently what's needed is an independent medical team under the protection of the government. Considering our government's complicity in allowing the disperants to be deployed in the first place, I don't have much hope that will happen. Tragic.

[More posts daily at the Detroit News.]