BP gets federal approval to spray oil spill

BP said yesterday it has received federal approval to continuously spray chemicals underwater on the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP spokesman Mark Proegler said the company received Environmental Protection Agency approval and began pumping dispersant on the site this morning. The company plans to continue spraying and taking tests.

The dispersants had never been tried at such depths before this spill and officials have been worried about the effect on the environment.