OIL CLEANING BIO-PRODUCTS LTD.
PRESS RELEASE
OCBP's "HEG" PRODUCTS in EFFORT TO CLEAN OILED SEABIRDS AFTER OIL SPILL IN CHANNEL
February 10th 1997Oil Cleaning Bio-Products Ltd. today rushed free supplies of two types of oil cleanser to Chichester as The Brent Lodge Bird and Wildlife Trust worked around the clock to de-oil and save the rare seabirds which had been caught over the week-end in an oil slick in the English Channel off Selsey Bill. The move was made by OCBP when it received reports that the Trust had run out of supplies of suitable cleansers. By Monday afternoon the Trust, having treated over sixty birds including Razorbills, Guillemots, a Red-throated diver and a Red-necked grebe, was still expecting more oiled birds to be brought in over the next few days.
Commenting on the situation, Richard Genochio, Managing Director of OCBP said: "This spill was small compared with some, but the damage to sea birds has nevertheless been severe. We were glad to be able to help out, and to give the Trust the chance to use Hegol and Hegsolv and test them against conventional cleansers. Our products have been used to clean oiled seabirds in the USA, but - provided they meet the Trust's requirements - this will be their first extended use for such a purpose in the UK. A key point is that the products not only cleanse the feathers, but actively degrade the oil. Moreover, they are very gentle to the skin - unlike some of the harsher detergents and solvents."
Paying tribute to the work of The Brent Lodge Bird and Wildlife Trust, Mr. Genochio added: "It was evident that The Trust is doing a great job. I congratulate Dennis Fenter and his team of full-time and part-time workers on the skill and dedication with which they were coping in very difficult circumstances. The Trust depends heavily on voluntary contributions and needs £100 per day just to keep going. On today's evidence I strongly urge those who care for injured birds - especially our precious seabirds - to make a donation."
NOTES FOR EDITORS
- Donations should be sent by cheque payable to The Brent Lodge Bird and Wildlife Trust. The Trust is at Cow lane, Sidlesham, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7LN, and the telephone number is 01243 641672
- The "Heg" products include: Hegol (natural oil-degrading bacteria in a biodegradable quick-splitting surfactant, used for general cleansing, vehicle washing, oily machinery, oil-stained workshop floors and other hard surfaces); Hegsolv (natural oil-degrading bacteria in a biodegradable water-based solvent with rust inhibitor, used for heavy duty cleansing, parts washing and degreasing); Hegrem (oil-encapsulating absorbent made from biodegradable plant fibres with oil-degrading bacteria, used for contaminated land); Hegfloor (low dust, non-abrasive non-leaching biodegradable plant-based absorbent, used for oil spills on land or concrete as a cheaper and better alternative to sand or "kitty litter"); and Hegsorb (biodegradable absorbent for spills on water).
- Oil Cleaning Bio-Products Ltd. is the sole and world-wide supplier of "Heg" products. For further information contact OCBP Ltd., PO Box 46, Royston, Herts. SG8 9PD, tel. 01763 287 749.