Staggering quantities of toxins and chemicals are manufactured and used each year. Unfortunately, many tons are routinely spilled, especially when these substances are transported. When this happen the consequences can be disastrous for all concerned. It is notoriously difficult and expensive to clean such spills and it is even more difficult to deal with the contamination of the soil, water and wildlife. That is why it is so important to be prepared for accidents. The very first thing that should be done is to use containment berms to prevent the pollution from spreading.
Preventing the pollution from spreading is only the first step in a complicated process of cleaning up the scene. No single method can be used to deal with all spills and it is therefore necessary to assess each incident individually before plans can be made to neutralize the chemicals and to remove it to facilities where safe disposal can take place in a controlled environment.
Fortunately, scientific advances have been made to clean up spills more efficiently. Ingenuous agents that are able to accelerate the natural bio degrading process of spilled chemicals have been created. They are very effective, but only when the chemical in question can degrade naturally. Other agents are able to absorb spilled chemicals, rendering them safe for handling and transport from the spill site.
In recent times, another new agent has caused much excitement in environmental circles. This agent also absorbs spilled chemicals, but once the toxins are absorbed a new agent that is safe is created. This new mass is used in the manufacture of several rubber and road construction products and materials. This is seen as a revolutionary step forward, because the cost of cleaning spills can be lowered.
Specially engineered agents unfortunately do not work in all cases. Some chemicals simply do not degrade and others will not be absorbed by any other agent. This is especially the case when the spill took place in a body of water. In such instances everything possible is done to separate the pollutants from the water. The pollutants are then pumped into large floating containers.
It is impossible to deal with all spills. Authorities have to deal with extremely high cost and a shortage of people trained in dealing with chemical spills. Spills that occur in sensitive areas, historical sites, tourism hot spots and densely populated areas are therefore treated as a priority. Many spills that occur in sparsely populated areas and are simply ignored.
Much has been done to make sure that there are strict laws governing the handling of potentially harmful chemicals and toxins. It is very important to make sure that all staff members now exactly what to do when an accident occurs. It is also imperative that the proper tools and equipment necessary to deal with spills are available at all times.
Activists have long argued that the manufacture and use of harmful chemicals and toxins should be even more strictly controlled. The fact remains, however, that there are numerous manufacturers of these substances and that it would be almost impossible to monitor adherence to legislation. In the meantime, most people use products containing chemicals almost every day.
Preventing the pollution from spreading is only the first step in a complicated process of cleaning up the scene. No single method can be used to deal with all spills and it is therefore necessary to assess each incident individually before plans can be made to neutralize the chemicals and to remove it to facilities where safe disposal can take place in a controlled environment.
Fortunately, scientific advances have been made to clean up spills more efficiently. Ingenuous agents that are able to accelerate the natural bio degrading process of spilled chemicals have been created. They are very effective, but only when the chemical in question can degrade naturally. Other agents are able to absorb spilled chemicals, rendering them safe for handling and transport from the spill site.
In recent times, another new agent has caused much excitement in environmental circles. This agent also absorbs spilled chemicals, but once the toxins are absorbed a new agent that is safe is created. This new mass is used in the manufacture of several rubber and road construction products and materials. This is seen as a revolutionary step forward, because the cost of cleaning spills can be lowered.
Specially engineered agents unfortunately do not work in all cases. Some chemicals simply do not degrade and others will not be absorbed by any other agent. This is especially the case when the spill took place in a body of water. In such instances everything possible is done to separate the pollutants from the water. The pollutants are then pumped into large floating containers.
It is impossible to deal with all spills. Authorities have to deal with extremely high cost and a shortage of people trained in dealing with chemical spills. Spills that occur in sensitive areas, historical sites, tourism hot spots and densely populated areas are therefore treated as a priority. Many spills that occur in sparsely populated areas and are simply ignored.
Much has been done to make sure that there are strict laws governing the handling of potentially harmful chemicals and toxins. It is very important to make sure that all staff members now exactly what to do when an accident occurs. It is also imperative that the proper tools and equipment necessary to deal with spills are available at all times.
Activists have long argued that the manufacture and use of harmful chemicals and toxins should be even more strictly controlled. The fact remains, however, that there are numerous manufacturers of these substances and that it would be almost impossible to monitor adherence to legislation. In the meantime, most people use products containing chemicals almost every day.
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