Perhaps one of the most important things to do in the event of a nasty oil or chemical spill is to contain it. Spill containment is something that is imperative in any kind of liquid spill to avoid any of the potential damage that the spill can cause. This particular remedial measure is among the Best Management Practices put in place as part of marine environmental protection measures. Spill kits with containment and cleanup materials are must-haves in most marine vehicles as well as inland transport and industrial plants. Spill response teams are also trained to be able to deal with containment and cleanup tasks.

Modern technology has made spill containment a matter that can easily be dealt with by the common individual. No particular skill is necessary to use these materials in containing spills. All it takes is quick thinking and the right frame of mind to be able to take on the task of containment and cleanup. Whether there is a big spill in open waters or a small spill in a school's chemistry laboratory, there is a spill containment product specially designed for a particular spill scenario. Both land and water spills can best be contained and cleaned up by the right spill cleanup product.

Using the Oil Absorbent Boom is the best tool for spill containment in marine environments. These booms are made of highly absorbent polypropylene covered by a poly sock skin and then encased in a strong mesh outer sleeve. Oil Absorbent Booms are great spill containment implements in that they are water repellent and will not shed nor sink even when they are saturated with oil. As these booms are thrown into the water, these booms come with a sturdy nylon rope that makes it easy to throw the boom out into the water and then later on retrieve it for wringing out or for disposal.

Marine spills are effectively contained by the Oil Absorbent Booms when they are thrown into the water and dragged back into the boat after it has successfully collected the oil spill. These booms only absorb hydrocarbons including gas, fuel, and lubricant oil among others. As oil often stays on the water's surface, the floating oil absorbent boom effectively picks-up the oil spill as it skims through its surface. Depending on the area where spill containment is needed, these oil absorbent booms can be clipped together using a carbon steel connector.

On land, industrial spills are contained using the Chemical Hazmat Boom. These booms are yellow colored and are made of polypropylene with a strong outer mesh covering. Like the Oil Absorbent Boom, this boom comes with a nylon rope and carbon steel connectors for convenience in handling. The yellow color of this boom serves to "announce" the dangers the spill might pose to any individual who is gets near the spill. Even those trained as members of the spill response team have to take extra precautionary measures to protect them as they work at spill containment and cleanup. The Chemical Hazmat Boom can absorb all types of liquid but cannot float on water.