Guanabara Bay, in Rio de Janeiro, now features an unprecedented technology for containing pollutants – barriers made from human hair have begun to be installed to absorb oil and retain waste. The initiative was implemented at Bom Jesus Cove, on Fundão Island.

Devices made of rolls of human hair wrapped in cotton mesh were attached to a floating barrier approximately 300 meters long. The structure had been used previously to retain trash and will now also absorb oily pollutants – a vital step forward in protecting the local mangrove forest.

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Studies indicate that one gram of hair can absorb five gram of oil on average, making it an efficient and low-cost alternative for combating pollution.

The initiative is led by the NGOs Orla Sem Lixo Transforma (OSLT) and Fiotrar, with support from the Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Conservation. This is the first time this technology has been applied in a natural environment in Brazil.

The rolls of human hair are sourced from what would otherwise be discarded by the Fiotrar, which receives donations to produce wigs for cancer patients.

Fiotrar Director Caroline Carvalho says the installation of the barrier validates years of research and development of this technology.

“After a long journey to turn an idea into a practical solution, the fact that we’ve reached this stage proves it is possible to combine science, sustainability, and social impact in a concrete way,” she stated.

Suzana Vinzon, coordinator of Orla Sem Lixo Transforma and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), explains that the project underwent a series of tests over the past year, aimed at adapting the technology to the specific environmental conditions of the bay and the structural characteristics of the barriers developed.

The protection of mangroves is considered strategic for the resilience of Guanabara Bay. They function as natural barriers, reducing wave force and protecting the coast against erosion and extreme events. By preventing contamination from oil and trash, the new technology helps preserve these areas, which are also essential for carbon sequestration and the maintenance of biodiversity.

Liziane Alberti, an oceanographer and biodiversity conservation specialist at the Boticário Group Foundation, argues that the initiative demonstrates how different solutions can complement one another to address complex environmental challenges such as marine pollution.