Saturday, April 11, 2015

The Importance Of Spill Containment Berms At Pollution Sites

By Joanna Walsh


The mind boggles at the vast quantities of poisons, dangerous chemicals and potentially harmful waste products that are in circulation every day. It is no surprise that there is an increase in accidents and that spillages have become a common occurrence. There are even recorded cases of unscrupulous operators that dump their toxins illegally. Such incidents can cause untold harm. At least, by using spill containment berms, for example, the authorities are able to limit the area affected by the incident.

Containing the potential damage is, of course, the very first and most urgent priority. This is not the end of the story, however. The pollutants need to be neutralized, removed to a safe place and disposed of in a legal manner. This is not easy. Specialized equipment and highly trained cleaning up teams are required and these are not always readily available.

It is not as if nothing is being done about the problem of toxic spills. No, much research have been conducted. There are several highly efficient agents that can absorb or neutralize toxic substances. The problem is twofold, however. These agents are very expensive and they do not work with all pollutants. In addition, the absorption or neutralizing process often takes time, and in this time damage is done to the environment.

Environmentalists have hailed the development of a new agent that is not only able to absorb a large number of toxins and pollutants, but to actually render them into a brand new substance that is actually useful. This substance is already being used in the manufacture of road surfaces and a number of rubber products. This means that the result of a cleaning operation can be a product that can be sold.

The cost and necessity for experienced and specially trained personnel to deal with spilled toxins and other pollutants makes it impossible to react to all incidents. This is why the authorities have no choice other than to prioritize. Pollution in highly populated areas, wildlife sanctuaries and places of national interest receive the highest priority. Spillages in remote areas and in rough seas are often simply ignored.

According to many pollution experts and environmental experts legislation regarding pollution is sadly lacking any teeth. Many large companies vagrantly ignore the threat that their practices pose to the environment and human health. Activists want the government to become tougher and to punish wrongdoers severely. Of course, large chemical companies vigorously oppose such amendments to the current laws.

The cost of cleaning up spillages is not limited to the cost of the actual cleaning up operation. In many cases, the long term cost is almost incalculable. In some cases the natural environment can take many years to recover. There have been cases of generations of people suffering health problems from an incident that occurred years ago and that caused genetic aberrations resulting in horrible human suffering.

Pollution remains one of the main threats to the planet and to human health. Companies dealing with chemicals and toxins must be more aware of their responsibility towards society and the environment. The very least thing they can do is to have containment equipment at hand at all times. Accidents will happen, but there is no reason why accidents should spread.




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