wafb reports that "engineers will not use booms made out of hair to soak up the growing oil spill in the gulf of mexico."
a test conducted in texas this past february during an oil spill there showed "commercial boom absorbed more oil and less water than hair boom.
charlie henry of the national oceanic and atmospheric administration said booms made from hair became water-logged and sank within a short period of time."
barbers and other groups that had been collecting hair are asked to stop.
in the 1969 santa barbara oil spill hay was used to some degree of success ~ source
