Human hair can absorb up to nine times its own weight in oil while naturally repelling water.

Human hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin. The outermost layer, known as the cuticle, consists of overlapping scales that create a massive surface area. This structure is naturally lipophilic, meaning it attracts oils, and hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. Research shows that a single kilogram of hair can absorb approximately 3 to 9 liters of oil depending on the hair type and condition.The non-profit organization Matter of Trust, founded in 1998 by Lisa Gautier, pioneered the use of hair for oil spill remediation. Their 'Clean Wave' program collects hair clippings from thousands of salons and barbershops worldwide. These clippings are felted into mats or stuffed into recycled nylon stockings to create booms. These booms are then deployed to soak up motor oil in storm drains or crude oil in open water.The effectiveness of hair was famously demonstrated during the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Over 400,000 pounds of hair and fur were collected from donors across the United States and 30 other countries. While the primary cleanup used synthetic sorbents, the hair booms provided a sustainable, biodegradable alternative. NASA has also conducted studies confirming that hair is an efficient and cost-effective material for filtering petroleum products from water systems.