How your HAIR can help the Gulf oil spill

[Jennasis]

I am NOT at all sure I know the answer, but I was at the salon this morning getting my highlights touched up and there was a little girl in there getting her hair cut. She came in with hair to her mid-back and left with a cute bobbed cut. The stylist was sweeping the hair into this big vacuum thing and told her that the hair was being donated to help with the oil spill. She didn't know how or why but confirmed that THAT was where the hair was headed.

So, exactly how absorbent IS hair, and should we all shave bald now in an effort to fight the spill??




ETA: Sweet googa mooga it's true... http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html

 

[mickeylove2]

I heard about this happening with pet groomers, the person that was telling me about it said something like hair naturally soaks up oil and repels water so the idea was to take all this hair and make these hair mats and skim them along the oil.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I heard about this happening with pet groomers, the person that was telling me about it said something like hair naturally soaks up oil and repels water so the idea was to take all this hair and make these hair mats and skim them along the oil.

I heard this too. There is some environmental group, I think in San Fran, that had basically booms of hair in a warehouse waiting for BP to pay to ship them to the Gulf. BP had declined their assistance. Not sure if it would work or not. Weird though.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I heard this about two weeks ago, they had it on the news, I think on Good Morning A.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

When I had my hair cut a few weeks ago I asked my beautician if their salon was collecting for the clean up. She didn't know anything about it but started collecting hair that day.They make mats with the hair that really absorbs the oil.

 

[NotUrsula]

BP is saying that they won't use the hair booms because they sink when they have absorbed a full load. That is true, and that does make it impractical to use them in deep water, but to absorb oil on a beach or in a shallow marsh that is not an impediment. It's sure better than using dispersant that poisons wildlife.

The groups collecting hair also need donations of old pantyhose. They stuff the hair scraps into it and then into strong nylon mesh in order to form the booms.

 

[browneyes106]

I heard about hair mats a few years ago. My friend worked at her step-mom salon and they used to collect for different organizations one of them was an organization that collected hair to make the mats for oil spills. It might be the same one in San Fran I'm not too sure. They used to give hair to wig making companies and a company that made dolls oversears.

 

[brasswillow]

I got my hair cut on Tuesday. I had the ponytail donated to make wigs and then my girl told me the rest, all the stuff on the floor, would be put in a bin to donate to clean up the oil spill. Fascinating stuff!

 

[Darsa]

Wow... I was just contemplating a serious haircut (as opposed tomy usual trim) and would LOVE to have something good come of it. Is there an address somewhere you can send your hair if your salon isn't participating?

 

[Sparx]

Last I heard they needed panty hose too! Some of the people doing this are stuffing hair into pantyhose like big pillows that they use to soak up oil. The hair filled panty hose can be used over and over and over too.

 

[Aisling]

I don't know what's more disgusting, having matted hair all over me or oil all over me when I take a swim. Blech!

 

[kimblebee]

I don't know what's more disgusting, having matted hair all over me or oil all over me when I take a swim. Blech!

The hair is stuffed into pantyhose so it isn't like there is just loose hair floating around

 

[a1tinkfans]

I'd rather see the hair go for wigs for cancer patients as they apparently are not getting the hair "process" of actually using it for the oil spill. My only point is, its a shame that much of it is Concept rather than Action, and thats just another sad commentary on this entire debacle of No or Improper Oversight that will and has affected so many people, places and plant/animal life. Makes me very sad

I hope that all this hair collecting Does get to the proper people./places that actually USE it and are not shipping it overseas.....Meanwhile ALL the offers from overseas to help US were all turned down

 

[brasswillow]

I'd rather see the hair go for wigs for cancer patients as they apparently are not getting the hair "process" of actually using it for the oil spill. My only point is, its a shame that much of it is Concept rather than Action, and thats just another sad commentary on this entire debacle of No or Improper Oversight that will and has affected so many people, places and plant/animal life. Makes me very sad

I hope that all this hair collecting Does get to the proper people./places that actually USE it and are not shipping it overseas.....Meanwhile ALL the offers from overseas to help US were all turned down

From what I understand they are using hair that can't be used in wigs, e.i. the really short clippings that they sweep up off the floor, or hair that is to color treated to be used; stuff that would normally end up in the garbage bin.

 

[redlight]

This is a great idea!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'd rather see the hair go for wigs for cancer patients as they apparently are not getting the hair "process" of actually using it for the oil spill.

I doubt that the people donating this hair are the ones with long enough hair to donate elsewhere.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Is there some sort of registry where you can see if anyplace near you is participating?