Speed is essential in response efforts, as contaminants can spread rapidly, especially when released into the air or bodies of water. Containment and cleanup activities (or substance recovery) will be more effective if they are carried out before the substance spreads. Moreover, quick and simple actions taken early in incident response that minimize the released volume and the area contaminated can substantially reduce cleanup time, effort, and cost.
The strategies available for limiting chemical spread are highly chemical-specific and situation-dependent. Effective environmental control methods differ with each chemical, and different approaches will need to be taken depending on the substance’s physical and chemical properties, the release medium (air, soil, sediment, groundwater, or surface water including offshore), and site-specific factors. First responders should have access to several options for immediate spill control as they are generally expected to make a good faith effort to stabilize the scene to keep contamination from spreading. This section reviews different techniques and technologies for the immediate control of the spread of contamination following releases on land, including from transportation accidents, and in bodies of water both inland and offshore. Discussions of long-term remediation strategies and considerations for the transport and disposal of the wastes generated during these processes can be found in KPF 7, Augment Essential Services to Achieve Recovery Outcomes.
Containment actions are informed by the chemical’s physical properties and environmental conditions.