Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Why Spill Containment Berms Should Be Available When Working With Harmful Substances

By Rosella Campbell


When considering the fact that many millions of tons of harmful chemicals and toxins are manufactured and transported annually it is only realistic to expect that accidents will occur and that some of those chemicals will cause pollution. In some cases the spilled substances can cause immense harm to the environment and pose a real health threat to humans and animals. That is why it is vital to have spill containment berms available at all times when chemicals and toxins are handled or transported.

Merely limiting the area that has been polluted by harmful substances is not enough. The substances have to be rendered safe for removal and disposal at a suitably equipped facility. This type of operation can be extremely expensive. Special equipment is required and teams dealing with the pollution have to be specially trained. Sometimes adverse weather or rough terrain makes it even more difficult to deal with the contamination.

Much research has been conducted on the topic of dealing with pollutants and contaminants. Cleaning up operations are now done quicker and more efficient with the use of agents that are designed to either absorb the pollutants or to speed up the natural bio degrading process. This will only work, however, if the pollutants are able to bio degrade or if it can be absorbed by another agent.

Another new agent has caused much excitement in both the worlds of chemical manufacturers and environmentalists. This agent is unique because it does not absorb the spilled substances, but rather change them into a new substance altogether. This new substance can be handled safely. As an added bonus, it can be used in the manufacture of certain rubber products and it is even used to tar roads.

Not all pollutants can be absorbed or transformed by specially engineered agents. Large machines are then used to separate the pollutants from the body of water where the pollution took place. The pollutants can then be pumped into specially designed, floating containers. Barges can then tow the containers to disposal facilities. The process is effective but is dependent upon good weather conditions.

The laws governing pollution and the way in which spilled chemicals must be treated differs wildly from country to country and even state to state. In some cases authorities simply ignore incidents, especially if the contamination took place in remote areas or in rough seas. Higher priority is given to cases occurring in densely populated areas, tourism hot spots and sensitive environments.

Environmentalists maintain that every business that deals with potentially harmful substances should have emergency plans and procedures in place. They should also make sure that their staff knows exactly what to do during emergency situations. Appropriate equipment, such as berms, should be available at all times, but especially when the substances are in transit. In addition, training on how to deal with spillages should be compulsory.

The harmful effects of a chemical spill can last for years, poisoning the water and the soil. Every business dealing with these substances should strive towards increased safety. If this is not done, the planet will simply get to a point where it can no longer sustain life as we know it.




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