Monday, July 7, 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.

This equipment is very efficient at helping to make sure that pollutants do not spread. However, containing the pollutants is just the first emergency step in the process of dealing with the matter. The pollutants have to be neutralized and removed to a facility that is equipped to deal with the waste. Such operations are expensive and complex, requiring specialist equipment and specially trained operators.

Chemical manufacturers spend a great deal of money on researching ways in which to deal with spilled substances. Specially engineered agents are now available to deal with pollutants. Some agents agitate the spilled substances into degrading naturally at a faster rate and other types of agents absorb the spilled substances. Unfortunately, not all potentially harmful chemicals can be absorbed and may never degrade naturally.

Scientists and environmentalist alike are delighted with the introduction of a modern agent that not only renders the pollutants harmless, but that also transforms it in a new substance that is economically useful. This substance can be used during the construction of roads and in the manufacture of various products. By selling the substance the cost of cleaning up operations can often be covered.

In cases where the spilled substances cannot be absorbed or transformed, a different approach is needed. If the pollution occurred in a body of water, such as a river, lake or the ocean, special equipment is employed to agitate the water with the aim of separating the chemicals from the body of water. The chemicals are them quickly pumped into large floating containers that can be towed away.

It is problematic that the laws governing the manufacture and transport of potentially harmful chemicals are often vague. When pollution occurs most authorities responsible for such matters will prioritize the cleaning operation in terms of the budget and qualified personnel available. In some cases spillage is allowed to go its natural course without intervention of any kind. Priority is given to sensitive wildlife and densely populated areas.

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.

It is a sad fact that humans treat the planet in a shabby manner. Experts warn that human greed is busy destroying the only home we have. It is only right and moral to expect those who are responsible for spillages of toxins and chemicals to accept responsibility for cleaning up the mess.




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