Reply #10: I don't recall hearing any claims that it's "clean and pristine like before"

[groundloop]

What I've read and heard from NOAA scientists (who have led the way on global warming research, by the way) is that the dispersant was no more toxic than the oil, and in fact it served to break the oil up into smaller particles that could be more readily broken down through bacterial action. Also recall that the EPA made BP cut the dosage they were using.

I think the point that many are missing is that while dumping dispersant into the water is not good, it made a horrible situation less bad.