Realizing risks could have prevented oil spill disaster

"The worst oil spill in U.S. history could have been prevented had basic risk assessment and a strict permitting process been followed, said an environmental toxicologist who spoke Tuesday at Southern Oregon University.

Wayne Landis, director of the Institute of Environmental Toxicology at Western Washington University, said the catastrophe was "entirely predictable" because the government agencies responsible for risk assessment and permits are underfunded and undermanned."