At the beginning of the Gulf spill , the proprietary composition was not public , but the manufacturer 's own safety data sheet identified the main components as 2-butoxyethanol and a proprietary organic sulfonate with a small concentration of propylene glycol . Warnings from the Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet for 2-butoxyethanol include : " Cancer Hazard : 2-Butoxy Ethanol may be a carcinogen in humans since it has been shown to cause liver cancer in animals . Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen .... Reproductive Hazard : 2-Butoxy Ethanol may damage the developing fetus . There is limited evidence that 2-Butoxy Ethanol may damage the male reproductive system ( including decreasing the sperm count ) in animals and may affect female fertility in animals " . 2-butoxyethanol was identified as a causal agent in the health problems experienced by cleanup workers after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill . According to the Alaska Community Action on Toxics , the use of Corexit during the spill caused people " respiratory , nervous system , liver , kidney and blood disorders "
Exxon Valdez oil spill
Exxon Valdez oil spill
Corexit