It is sobering to learn just how much harmful chemicals and toxins are manufactured, transported, used and spilled every year. Deadly chemicals are transported every day by sea, road and rail and it is an unfortunate fact that accidents will happen. Few things can be as devastating to the environment as a chemical spill. If an accident does happen, the first priority is to use equipment such as containment berms to make sure that the spill is localized as much as possible.
Of course, the prevention of pollution spreading even further is just the first step. Unfortunately, different chemicals require different approached and methods and each case must therefore be evaluated individually. This can be difficult and it is very expensive. The spill needs to be neutralized and transported to facilities equipped to dispose of the waste without causing further damage. This can take time.
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.
Environmentalists are particularly excited about the development of another new agent that not only absorb many different types of toxins and chemicals, but that can actually transform them into a harmless substance. As an added bonus the resultant mass can be used productively in the manufacture of bitumen and rubber products. In this way cleaning up operations becomes cheaper because they produce a substance that can be sold again.
Not every spill can be cleaned up by using neutralizing and absorbing agents. Some chemicals simply do not degrade and absorbing some chemicals is extremely difficult, especially if the spill took place in a body of water. In these cases efforts are made to separate the water from the chemicals. This can be done because there is a weight difference between the water and the pollutants. The chemicals are then pumped into 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.
It is true that there are numerous regulations and laws that force companies dealing with harmful chemicals to take precautions and to prevent spills. Adherence to these regulations is poorly policed, however. Companies in this field should accept their responsibilities and they should promulgate proactive policies that will help prevent accidents. This means training staff on a continuous basis and making sure that adequate equipment is available at all times.
Spills can have disastrous results and the after effects of some spills can continue to pollute and poison the environment for many years. Most people use chemicals almost daily. A ban is therefore simply not practical. The answer lies in a greater sense of responsibility by all concerned.
Of course, the prevention of pollution spreading even further is just the first step. Unfortunately, different chemicals require different approached and methods and each case must therefore be evaluated individually. This can be difficult and it is very expensive. The spill needs to be neutralized and transported to facilities equipped to dispose of the waste without causing further damage. This can take time.
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.
Environmentalists are particularly excited about the development of another new agent that not only absorb many different types of toxins and chemicals, but that can actually transform them into a harmless substance. As an added bonus the resultant mass can be used productively in the manufacture of bitumen and rubber products. In this way cleaning up operations becomes cheaper because they produce a substance that can be sold again.
Not every spill can be cleaned up by using neutralizing and absorbing agents. Some chemicals simply do not degrade and absorbing some chemicals is extremely difficult, especially if the spill took place in a body of water. In these cases efforts are made to separate the water from the chemicals. This can be done because there is a weight difference between the water and the pollutants. The chemicals are then pumped into 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.
It is true that there are numerous regulations and laws that force companies dealing with harmful chemicals to take precautions and to prevent spills. Adherence to these regulations is poorly policed, however. Companies in this field should accept their responsibilities and they should promulgate proactive policies that will help prevent accidents. This means training staff on a continuous basis and making sure that adequate equipment is available at all times.
Spills can have disastrous results and the after effects of some spills can continue to pollute and poison the environment for many years. Most people use chemicals almost daily. A ban is therefore simply not practical. The answer lies in a greater sense of responsibility by all concerned.
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