In the event of chemical or oil spills, the ultimate solution is presented by containment booms. Industrial accidents like these happen all the time. And these accidents, whether intentional or unintentional, can harm our environment in more ways than one. Often, results of these spillages are difficult to manage or at worse irreparable. This is the reason why the government agency, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has instituted efforts towards the effective prevention of the spread of these spillages. Instituting measures towards avoiding spillages in the first place are left to the management and discretion of the operators and owners of the industrial businesses. But, safety measures are mandated to be put in place for spill cleanups to prevent potentially harmful liquid spills from reaching the country's waterways.



One of the most important components of spill cleanups are containment booms. This is the first recourse of spill response teams who are the ones tasked to undertake measures to handle chemical or oil spills. Spill kits with the applicable spill cleanup materials are supposed to be kept in work areas or vehicles where these spillages could supposedly originate. There are several types of these spill kits that are dependent on the types of liquids that could accidentally spill. The universal or general type of spill kit includes all-purpose spill containment booms that are absorbent of all types of liquid spills. Spill pads and rolls made of gray absorbents are also included in the kit to mop up the spills effectively.

For specific liquid spills, oil only spill kits and chemical hazmat spill kits are recommended. The oil only spill kits contain oil only spill containment booms that can be used to contain oil spills. These are water repellent booms that float above water to effectively prevent oil spills from spreading in open water. Wipe ups are accomplished by using oil absorbent spill sweeps, pads, socks, pompoms, net bags, and boat bilge booms. Chemical spills, on the other hand, are contained by chemical hazmat containment booms. These are yellow colored absorbent booms that serve not only to keep chemical spills and those liquids of unknown composition from spreading but also to warn individuals from going near the spills as they can have potentially harmful effects by way of toxic fume inhalation and chemical skin burns. Aside from these booms, hazmat spill kits also have absorbent mats and pads that are absorbent of hydrocarbons as well as water-based spills for mop ups.

The potentially harmful effects of oil and chemical spills, while not entirely unavoidable, can effectively be contained within a certain area with the use of absorbent containment booms. Having these absorbent booms in areas where oils or chemicals are used, in mechanical plants, factories, oil barges, or even small private boats and mechanical repair shops, can not only avert any other complications and harm to persons and property but can also help save the environment for the next generations. Any responsible citizen should make sure that they are properly equipped with these containment booms if their property or business has the potential of causing these spillages.