The Guimaras oil spill of 2006 is considered the worst of its kind in the history of the Philippines. More than 130,000 gallons of bunker oil gushed into the Panay Gulf, causing significant environmental damage. In an attempt to contain the spill, locals turned to an unconventional method involving synthetic materials and human hair.
These unusual-looking sausage-like objects were filled with synthetic materials fabricated in a lab and human hair. The idea was inspired by Phil McCroy, a hairstylist in Alabama, who noticed how a sea otter’s fur had become saturated with oil after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. He hypothesized that if oil could do that to an otter’s fur, then the same must be true for human hair. McCroy took scraps of hair trimmings from work, stuffed them into his wife’s pantyhose, and tested his new invention in a small spill he created at his house. NASA studied and confirmed that Phil’s invention worked.
McCroy teamed up with others on the Clean Wave program, which collects donated hair, fur, feathers, and other fibers to make recycled felted mats and hair booms that can mop up oil spills. Hair is natural, cheap, and renewable, making it an ideal material for cleaning up oil spills. The process of making a hair boom is straightforward: human hair is stuffed into pantyhose, and then placed into contaminated water to absorb the oil.
Despite their effectiveness, hair booms and hair mats haven’t been the principal method to clean major oil spills. They weren’t used extensively in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon spill, where over the course of 87 days, 134 million gallons of oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico. Instead, crews used 1.8 million gallons of chemical dispersants, oil skimmers, fire, and booms and barriers made of synthetic material to clean up the mess.
With oil spills, time is of the essence. The longer oil is in the ocean, the harder it is to retrieve. The immediate ecological impact of oil spills is obvious: it kills marine wildlife and destroys habitats and breeding grounds. The chemicals used to clean up oil spills also pose a danger to human health. As of now, hair booms and hair mats are not the primary tools used to contain oil spills, but possibly one day they could be. The public desire to help is strong, with hair salons in every city and billions more people with hair to spare. So, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that help for the next oil spill may be just one snip away.
Gather some old pantyhose and human hair (you can use synthetic hair if necessary). Stuff the hair into the pantyhose to create your own hair boom. Test it by creating a small oil spill in a container of water using vegetable oil. Observe how well your hair boom absorbs the oil. Discuss the effectiveness of this method and compare it with other oil spill cleanup methods.
Research another major oil spill in history, such as the Exxon Valdez spill or the Deepwater Horizon spill. Create a presentation that includes the cause of the spill, the environmental impact, and the methods used to clean it up. Present your findings to the class and discuss how hair booms might have been used in that situation.
Divide into two groups. One group will argue in favor of using hair booms and mats as the primary method for oil spill cleanup, while the other group will argue for the use of chemical dispersants and synthetic materials. Research your arguments and hold a structured debate. After the debate, discuss which methods seem most effective and why.
Write a short essay on the environmental impact of oil spills on marine life and ecosystems. Include information on how oil spills affect different species and habitats, and the long-term consequences. Discuss how hair booms and mats could mitigate some of these impacts compared to other cleanup methods.
Invite a local environmental scientist or a representative from a conservation organization to speak to your class about oil spills and cleanup methods. Prepare questions in advance about the effectiveness of different cleanup methods, including hair booms and mats. After the interview, write a summary of what you learned and how it relates to the Guimaras oil spill.
guimaras – Guimaras is an island province located in the Philippines. – I am planning to visit Guimaras during my vacation in the Philippines.
oil spill – An oil spill refers to the accidental release of petroleum into the environment, typically in a body of water. – The oil spill in the ocean caused extensive damage to marine life.
philippines – The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country consisting of thousands of islands. – My grandparents were born in the Philippines before immigrating to the United States.
bunker oil – Bunker oil is a type of fuel oil used in ships and power plants. – The ship was carrying a large quantity of bunker oil when it experienced an engine malfunction.
panay gulf – The Panay Gulf is a body of water located between the islands of Panay and Negros in the Philippines. – The Panay Gulf is known for its rich marine biodiversity.
environmental damage – Environmental damage refers to harm caused to the environment, including ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources. – The construction of the dam resulted in significant environmental damage to the surrounding forests.
synthetic materials – Synthetic materials are man-made substances created through chemical processes rather than occurring naturally. – The jacket was made of synthetic materials that provided excellent insulation.
human hair – Human hair refers to the hair that grows on the scalp of humans. – The salon uses human hair extensions to provide a natural and seamless look.
unconventional method – An unconventional method refers to an approach or technique that deviates from traditional or commonly accepted practices. – The artist used an unconventional method of painting, using only her fingers to create unique textures.
clean wave program – The Clean Wave Program is an initiative aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the oceans through education and beach cleanups. – Many volunteers joined the Clean Wave Program to help clean up the beach and raise awareness about the impact of plastic waste.
