If you have had a major spill of food or drink and are in need of our emergency spill response services call us now on 01656 741 799
Although you may not instantly think of food and drink as a pollutant major spillages can cause devastation to the environment.Due to the high risks caused by foodstuffs the Environment Agency created a Pollution Prevention Guideline (now withdrawn) to cover Dairies and Other Milk Handling Operations: PPG17 which stated “[milk] can be as much as 400 times more polluting than untreated domestic sewage. Naturally occurring bacteria break down milk entering a watercourse, using up oxygen in the water more quickly than it can be replaced. As a result of falling oxygen levels, fish and other creatures can suffocate.”
We are experienced in the clean-up of large scale food and drink spills to prevent environmental pollution, harm to employees and disruption to site activities.
Although it may seem strange to think of food or drink as being a health and safety risk, when spilled in large quantities the spillage may pose a threat to operatives and emergency responders. Many foodstuffs and concentrates can cause severe eye and skin irritation as a minimum. Before commencing any spill response we will ensure our responders have adequate PPE and PRE to protect themselves from the spilled material.
If foodstuffs are allowed to enter controlled waters they can strip the watercourse of oxygen causing fish and other aquatic organisms to suffocate.Environmental damage can last for years as rivers can take a long time to regenerate the aquatic organisms which have been killed.In the event of a major oxygen crash you can oxygenate the water by adding hydrogen peroxide to the water or utilising mechanical aeration equipment.
Our spill responders will react as quickly as possible to limit the pollutants from entering the watercourse and limit the environmental damage caused.
“GPT Environmental have provided essential services from Industrial Cleaning, Interceptor Servicing and Emergency spill response.
They always respond in record times and have worked with us to improve environmental compliance whilst reducing costs”
Environmental Engineer in Aerospace Manufacturing - COMAH site
"Fruit juices, particularly when handled as concentrates, may have the same de-oxygenating effect on a watercourse as milk. In addition they are often highly acidic and may also contain preservatives."