During which phase are containment and cleanup actions taken?

Containment and cleanup actions are critical steps in the response to pollution incidents, particularly in the third phase of response. This phase is characterized by implementing tactics that minimize the spread of contaminants and actively removing hazardous materials from the environment.

During this phase, responders focus on containing the pollution source to prevent further environmental damage and devising strategies for cleanup, which may involve physical removal of pollutants, decontamination processes, or natural remediation techniques. The goal is to mitigate the immediate impact on human health and the ecosystem while laying the groundwork for long-term recovery.

In earlier phases, such as assessing the situation and planning, the focus is primarily on evaluating the incident and preparing an effective response strategy. Cleanup and containment actions become more emphasized in the third phase, where responders are actively working to address the pollution itself, making it a pivotal stage in pollution response efforts.