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June 1, 2010

BP CEO: No Underwater Oil Plumes; Workers Sickened by Food Poisoning
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BP has vowed to clean up the spill, but is now trying to deny aspects of
its environmental damage. On Sunday, BP CEO Tony Hayward was quoted
disputing experts’ claims to have discovered oil plumes trapped in large
quantities and spreading miles underseas. Hayward said, "The oil is on
the surface. There aren’t any plumes." Hayward also told reporters he
doubts that scores of workers and fishermen have gotten sick from the
toxic dispersants used to break up the oil in the water. He instead said
the workers had suffered food poisoning.

Tony Hayward: "I’m sure they were genuinely ill, but whether it was
anything to do with dispersants and oil, whether it was food poisoning
or some other reason for them being ill, you know, there’s a—food
poisoning is clearly a big issue when you’ve got a, you know,
concentration of this number of people in temporary camps, temporary
accommodation. It’s something we have to be very, very mindful of. It’s
one of the big issues of keeping the army operating. You know, armies
march on their stomachs."

A number of workers involved in the clean-up have been hospitalized.
Hayward’s comment came shortly after he publicly complained about the
disaster’s impact on his personal life.

Tony Hayward: "We’re sorry for the massive disruption it’s caused to
their lives. And, you know, we’re—there’s no one who wants this
thing over more than I do. You know, I’d like my life back."



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