Acid Neutralizer

How to neutralize battery acids and 13 other acids

Acid Neutralizing Safety

Because acids are extreme irritants, great care is necessary during acid spill response to avoid injury. Always wear protective gear such as an apron, eye protection and protective gloves when cleaning up acid spills. A face shield can prevent breathing acid mist and direct contact with eyes or skin. Our battery acid spill kits include basic personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles and nitrile rubber gloves.

The acid neutralization process generates foaming gases and heat. Wait until fizzing settles, the materials cool, and change back to purple color so you know they are safe to pick up and handle for disposal. After cleaning up a spill, label and place neutralized materials in a leak-proof plastic bag or container. Be sure to dispose of all acid spill materials in accordance with federal and state regulations.

It is a good idea to rinse the spill site with clean water as a final step to the cleaning process.

Why Use Specialty Acid Neutralizers?

Acids are corrosive, aggressive, and can easily cause damage to equipment, property or personnel. Leaks from large batteries will quickly deteriorate parts that the acid comes into contact with. A car battery leak will cause corrosion to surrounding battery terminals, battery cables as well as chargers. So it's important to completely clean all acid residue from a spill and leak site before placing a new battery into a vehicle or equipment.

Specialty acid spill products offer superior neutralizing performance in comparison to baking soda and regular paper towels. Not only are ash/baking soda non-absorbent, the vigorous fizzing reaction with acids can cause an asphyxiating carbon dioxide cloud.

The color change indicator in our acid neutralizers ensures you know when a spill is neutralized and safe to handle. They will not leave any white residues behind on the spill site like sodas can.

Know Your Acid Compound

Acid types and formats vary from powders, such as citric or chromic acid,⁠ to liquids like acetic and formic acid. Some acids are more aggressive than others. The pH scale offers a measure of a substance's acidity or basicity. For example, nitric or sulfuric acid (pH 0) leaks pose a much higher risk in comparison to simple lemon juice and white vinegar (pH 2).

Therefore, the leaking battery in a car presents a more dangerous hazard than leaky alkaline batteries. Small charging cells like an AA battery typically contain viscous potassium hydroxide (a base of pH 11). Car batteries most commonly use sulfuric acid, a syrupy liquid, which our products will safely neutralize.

Before purchasing any neutralizer, it is important to determine the types of acids you have or use on site. This will ensure you have the correct product on hand to address potential acid leaks.

Acid Compatibility

The following acids have been tested and found to be safe with our neutralizing compounds:

Please note: Our neutralizer products are not chemically compatible with hydrofluoric acid or most other strong oxidizers.

Please contact us if you require advice or have a question about any of our acid neutralizing products.

Learn more about acid spills on our blog:

• How Will You Respond to an Acid Spill?
  
  
• Tips for Cleaning up and Acid Chemical Spill
  
  
• What’s in Your Acid Spill Kit?
  
  
• Prepare Your Workplace Against Battery Acid Spills
  
  
• The Dangers of a Nitric Acid Chemical Spill