Maritime and Coastguard Agency unable to find source of bird killer (From Dorset Echo)
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Maritime and Coastguard Agency unable to find source of bird killer
1:00pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News
AN INVESTIGATION into pollution which killed hundreds of seabirds has been unable to find the source.
Around 300 birds, mainly guillemots, were washed up along Chesil Beach and other sites covered in a waxy substance.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) investigated the source of the polyisobutyliene (PIB) but was unable to determine where or when the material was released.
An MCA spokesman said that unless more information emerges the investigation is closed.
He said: “After tests were carried out on a sample of the product, it was identified as polyisobutene, or polyisobutyliene (PIB).
“This is a fairly common chemical carried aboard ships and it is produced in a large number of countries.
“We have been unable to identify specific components of the product that may have helped us find the source.
“As such, we have concluded that it is highly unlikely we will be able to link the pollution to any specific vessel.”
The RSPB has called for the polyisobutene (PIB) oil additive, which can be released legally under certain conditions, to be reclassified and discharges outlawed.
About 200 of the rescued birds have survived so far.
