Oil Spill Clean-up Orange County, CA
Unfortunately, oil spill clean-up in Orange County, California, is not uncommon. While the most recent oil spill in Huntington Beach has been profoundly damaging to the coast, it's essential to remember that there have been several others before it. Oil spills leave disaster in its wake, and while the impact on an ecosystem can vary depending upon its size, in some cases, it can take years and even decades. Oils spills leave utter devastation, property values plummet, beaches in ruins- destroying marine wildlife. It can be overwhelming to consider what happens next. In addition to large oil spills impacting marine life, businesses and homes may experience a large oil spill that requires the help of professionals. Unfortunately, mistakes made by modern industries come at a high cost, and when an event is as egregious as an oil spill, services from Nielsen Environmental will be imperative.
The Most Recent Oil Spill In Huntington Beach
Across the country, there have been nearly 44 oil spills since the late 1960s. While the Deep Water Horizon spill on the Gulf Coast has been the largest to date, it's essential to remember that even oil spills on the smaller side can significantly damage the economy and the environment. In October 2021, a pipeline failure resulted in an oil spill off the coast of Port of Long Beach, dumping tens of thousands of gallons of oil into the Catalina Channel. Oil has washed up on the shores of Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach, leaving commercial fishing at a standstill and damaging everything in its wake including beaches, properties, and the ecosystem. As a result, the need for comprehensive oil spill clean-up in Orange County, CA, is a top priority for residents, business owners, officials, and preservationists.
Consequences Of An Oil Spill
The oil we use today for industry, machinery, and vehicles exists deep within the earth's surface. We go to great lengths to absorb as much oil as possible so that this energy resource can continue to sustain our lives. But tragically, the oil we utilize may end up destroying natural habitats in the process.
Oil spills can kill marine mammals, including seals, dolphins, sea otters, and whales. The oil can get caught and clog in the blowholes of dolphins and whales, making breathing impossible and hiding their ability to communicate. When oil attaches to the coats of seals and otters, they are vulnerable to developing hypothermia.
Mammals who are able to get away from the oil may still experience effects if the food supply has been contaminated. Marine wildlife that eats fish or other items in the ocean may be poisoned or have adverse health effects because of the oil. Oil spills can have devastating impacts to shellfish, fish, and other marine species that lay eggs or larvae. An oil spill can cause long-term damage to animals and their habitats, far after the cleanup is done. The severity of the oil spill damage will depend on many factors, such as:
- Amount of oil spilled
- Spill location
- Type/weight of oil
- Seasonal migrations
- Breeding cycles
- Species in the area
The environmental impact of oil spills can be damaging in numerous ways. When oil spills into freshwater or the ocean, it cannot blend with the water. Instead, the oil sits on top of the water and expands in a thin layer outward. This layer can block the sun from reaching into the underwater environment, severely hindering the cycle of its food chain and ecosystem. It is of the essence to respond to an oil spill immediately to reduce the range of damage caused.
Depending on the type of oil, it may evaporate in minuscule amounts or deteriorate faster. A significant amount of oil may break down and sit at the bottom of the ocean. Some microbes that naturally exist in the ocean may break apart and consume the oil, but this cannot come close to making up for the disaster caused by the spill itself. Furthermore, if the oil breaks down and sinks to the ocean floor, it can ruin deeper oceanic populations too.
Extensive Oil Spill Clean Up
Cleaning up massive oil spills takes time, diligence, and professionals who know where to start. After an oil spill, tremendous efforts are made to clean up beaches and oceans using a variety of mechanisms. As a homeowner, you won't just need immediate clean-up for the property; you will also need to take action to mitigate the risk that exposure could cause to your family. Keep in mind that oil spill clean-up isn't just for oil spills of such a massive nature; they can occur in homes and businesses as well. Regardless of the need, working with a team of professionals can play a critical role in remediating the problem. A professional clean up company will:
- Assess the damage to ensure that the spill is contained and not causing further damage
- Determine whether further emergency response is needed
- Prevent the spill from spreading to areas that could cause further contamination, such as sewer systems, drains, and water sources
- Removing as much of the oil as possible
- Safe disposal of waste
Oil spills should be handled by trained and experienced professionals who can stop the oil leak, prevent further damage, and remediate the toxin.
6 Reasons to Call the Professionals
When not handled properly, oil can be a dangerous substance and should not be taken lightly for oil spill clean-up Orange County, CA residents may be facing. We’ve seen how things can go poorly quickly when oil spills are not dealt with correctly by experienced professionals like Nielsen Environmental who are trained in dealing with hazardous materials.
- Safety
It’s not safe to be around an oil spill or to attempt to clean it when you are not familiar with the substances or cleaning practices. A novice getting involved in an oil spill could even be dangerous and potentially make the mess even worse by further spreading it. - Experienced Technicians
Like in any industry, dangerous material clean-up projects like an Orange County oil spill clean-up is a learned practice and requires training and equipment. In order for an oil spill to be cleaned properly, it should be done by those who have experience dealing with oil and are practiced in the field. It would not be wise to attempt dealing with a substance like oil when you don’t have the experience needed. - Time
Attempting to do it yourself could make the clean-up process take longer, giving the oil spill more time to seep into more areas. The longer it sits, the more damage it could cause. Experienced professionals will not waste time getting to the project, assessing the damage and clean-up needed, and beginning the clean-up work. - Peace of Mind
Having an oil spill to deal with is not fun and it likely is weighing on your mind. When you get the professional in there to take care of the clean-up for you it will give you peace of mind knowing that it is being handled properly and you have done what is needed to get it taken care of. - Extensive Clean-Up
Oil and similar hazardous substances can have a tendency to get into a lot of the surrounding area and create a larger clean-up project than you may realize. This comes as no surprise to the professionals that are experienced with oil spills, and they will know how to remove as much oil as possible from all of the surrounding area. - Disposal of Removed Substances
There are specific processes for disposing of oil and other similar substances, and when the work is done by a professional company like Nielsen Environmental, they will handle the disposal process for you. Taking care of the disposal is the last step and means that the clean-up project is handled from start to finish.
There are so many reasons to get an Orange County oil spill clean-up handled by professionals like Nielsen Environmental, including the ones listed above. Don’t wait to call to have a technician do an initial assessment and help you get a better understanding of the work needed for the clean-up project. It is not recommended to wait since time could make the damage more extensive as it spreads. Call us today to get started.
Nielsen Environmental
Nielsen Environmental provides years of experience in building demolition and remediation of hazardous materials such as asbestos, oil spills, mold, and lead. With more than 40 years of abatement contracting experience, you can have confidence in knowing that you are working with professionals who are not only highly skilled but dedicated to what they do. For oil spill clean-up Orange County, CA residents and businesses rely on, call today!
