Angie Meza | Spill Containment Blog

Are You Prepared for Watercraft Fun — and Associated Oil Spills?

June 17, 2023 by Angie Meza

No matter the size of your watercraft, staying safe on the water and protecting the environment from boat oil spills are imperative. While carrying absorbents on the water might sound counter-intuitive, many absorbents and related products go far beyond the basics of soaking up spills — but you’ll likely need absorbents for those instances, too!

absorbent containment boom in marina oil spill

An oil boom for absorbing water oil spills

As warmer weather approaches, it’s especially important to remember the potential environmental hazards associated with watercraft operations. Read on to learn about the risks you could encounter and how to protect yourself and your crew so you can stay safe and keep the fun going all summer long.

Simplifying small boat spill safety

Even if you don’t have a crew, you can help protect the environment and your beloved body of water by carrying a few Oil Absorbent Pads when you set sail. These pads won’t absorb water, so you don’t have to worry about keeping them in a watertight area. Plus, pads are the perfect size for smaller motorless vessels like kayaks and canoes. Wherever you spot a tell-tale oily sheen on the water’s surface, toss a pad over the top to quickly soak it up.

Evading environmental damage from engines

If your boat has a motor, gasoline and oil leaks can cause contamination and environmental damage. And, while oil and water don’t mix, oil can be difficult to remove from water. That’s why it’s important for boat owners and operators — whether industrial or recreational — to ensure their boats are fully stocked with spill kits for water, so they’re ready for anything.

Those with yachts as well as smaller speed boats, fishing boats, jet skis, and more can benefit by using oil absorbents. Regardless of the size of your vessel, Oil Absorbent Socks are great to have on hand as they absorb up to 15 times their weight in oil and float even when saturated.

Similarly, Oil Absorbent Pillows are useful for absorbing leaks in tight places in boats of all sizes. Whereas Oil Absorbent Rolls come in larger quantities making them ideal for midsize and larger boats.

Pom-poms, net bags, bilge booms, and sweeps are specialty products for dealing with water oil spills

If your engine holds more oil, gas, or lubricants, Oil Absorbent Sweeps are perfect for larger-scale spills. Hence the name, users can “sweep” these absorbents across the surface of the water to absorb floating oils, which change the color of the sweep to indicate their presence.

For larger spills that Oil Absorbent Pads and Rolls can’t handle, Oil Absorbent Booms can skim greater quantities of oil from bodies of water and float even when soaked with oil. Oil Absorbent Booms easily indicate the presence of oil due to their white color, so boat owners don’t have to risk changing out their booms too quickly.

Beating bilge blunders

If you’re ready for spills outside your watercraft, are you also prepared to keep your bilge oil-free? A bilge is the bottom of a ship where the sides meet, usually in a “V” shape. Here, water, oil, chemicals, sludge, and other liquids accumulate through leakage, overflows, spills, and more. Because of the nature of these liquids, ship owners cannot pump them into fresh or seawater. Therefore, Bilge Socks, Booms, and Absorbent Net Bags are perfect for removing liquids from your bilge safely and easily. They float on water, prevent mildew, and help ship owners clear their bilges of pollutants.

In need of multiple absorbent products? Investing in a Spill Kit can help ensure you have everything you need in one handy place. And, as you use the products inside, you can order replacements one by one as needed, helping you keep tabs on your absorbents — and your wallet.

Water oil spills: your lifeline for choosing the right absorbents

Oil absorbents for managing spills in and around our waterways come in a variety of forms. To see a handy checklist of absorbents based on watercraft size, check out “What Oil Absorbents Do I Need for My Boat?.” If you want to learn more about which marine absorbents you need, contact the helpful team at AbsorbentsOnline today!

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of May 21, 2018.

What Is a Spill Containment Pallet, Anyway?

December 28, 2020 by Angie Meza

Spill pallets prevent your 55-gallon drum or tote contents from going down the drain

Capture drum overflow and leaks with a forkliftable spill containment pallet

You may already have a drum spill kit or two: convenient drums filled with all you need to handle different types of spills safely and quickly. But what if you could clean up a leak or spill before it happened?

A spill containment pallet allows you to do just that, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a pallet with sump capacity. In other words, if your drum leaks, the potential spillage is already contained.

Many different containment options and features are available. Optional drain plug outlets enable easy cleaning. There are also modular, nestable, and forkliftable models to choose from. Units are capable of handling different gallon spill and load capacities.

Why are spill pallets necessary?

Spill containment helps protect the environment from oil, flammable, and other hazardous materials

A “just in case” backup system for hazardous material storage vessel leaks isn’t just a smart idea. It’s also necessary for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance. Specifically, the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) and Facility Response Plan (FRP) rules.

The EPA put Secondary Containment and Impracticability requirements into place to protect natural bodies of water from oil. If you handle oil in your workplace, the rules state you must have a secondary line of defense in case of oil spills or leaks.

A spill containment pallet is the perfect way to meet these requirements. Additionally, they can help comply with Container Storage Regulation 40 CFR 264.175 and UFC Spill Containment Regulations. Plus, meet OSHA guidelines for hazmat operations and emergency response.

Spill containment pallet types

Spill containment pallets come in many sizes, types, and materials so you can pick the best products for your facility’s specific needs. As well as 55-gallon drum containment, there are options for IBC totes and everything in between. Designs include a variety of features, such as units with or without drains.

Here’s a quick overview of the different options available, and their purposes.

Spill platforms

Low-profile spill pallets are ideal for easy 55-gallon drum loading

The most traditional spill containment pallet form, these platforms are also available in modular units that can handle an unlimited number of drums.

Most of these spill platforms are low profile which makes it easy to load drums onto them from wooden pallets. The higher profile and capacity platforms have forklift pockets.

Economy spill pallets

These tray-style spill pallets are more affordable than standard spill platforms. This option includes one-, two-, and four-drum models that do not include removable grates. As well, a newer, flexible model offers spill control that holds up to six drums.

A locking outdoor drum containment unit limits access and keeps contents safe from weather

Outdoor drum storage

Looking for an outdoor spill pallet? These heavy-duty, weather-resistant storage options will keep your outdoor drums EPA-compliant and protect them from the elements.

Units with a lockable cover not only offer protection against inclement weather but also from unauthorized access.

Intermediate bulk container pallets

Some bulk container pallets have a bucket shelf to hold a leak-catching pail

If you have an intermediate bulk container (IBC), a standard sump isn’t enough to meet secondary containment regulations. Instead, you’ll need an IBC pallet for a higher gallon spill volume.

These large-capacity containment sumps are available in standard, modular, and hardtop options. Removable grates allow for easy spill cleanup.

Stackable and drum-dispensing workstations

Save on space but retain easy dispensing access with a stackable drum workstation

Need to save some space in your facility? These stackable workstations can open up more available floor space. Plus, drum-dispensing options make it easy to dispense chemicals safely without compromising secondary containment.

Available in both indoor and outdoor models, there are also expandable and mobile units available.

Portable pallets

If you need spill containment pallets for temporary or emergency use, portable drum containment berms may be the best option.

Lightweight but strong, they are compact enough to store in vehicles or stow on a shelf. These polyethylene units do not have built-in drains.

Consider your requirements

Every workplace is different, so yours may require different secondary spill containment solutions than another business. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right spill containment pallets for your specific needs.

If you’re choosing spill containment pallets for the first time, you’ll want to collect some information before you shop:

How many drums will you need to contain your fluids?
What sorts of fluids are you working with?
How much space do you have available to store drums?
Do you need to dispense chemicals from these drums regularly?

If you can answer these questions, it will be easier to narrow down the ideal secondary containment options for your facility.

Choose your pallets wisely

The importance of choosing the right spill containment pallets cannot be overstated. Not only can the wrong type be inconvenient, it may even fail to protect against the spills and leaks it is meant for.

For example, most pallets use high-density polyethylene construction materials. That’s because HDPE offers excellent chemical resistance, durability, and easy cleaning.

But fluorinated models are available in case you’re working with corrosive or aggressive fluids that aren’t compatible with polyethylene. These pallets are a light blue color, as opposed to yellow for regular chemical drums.

Heavy-duty steel containment pallets are another alternative to HDPE. With excellent chemical resistance, steel is a good choice for flammable liquid storage.

Find SPCC expert advice

Having trouble choosing the spill containment pallets right for you? A professional can offer you top-notch advice and help you find just the right fit. Order your spill containment pallets today.

To learn which spill-containment pallets you need, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of November 15, 2017.

Not Your Everyday Absorbents: Do You Have These Products on Hand?

May 21, 2018 by Angie Meza

When you think of absorbents, what comes to mind? For many people, it’s sponges. However, the world of absorbents encompasses so much more than your average household products like rags and paper towels. In fact, it even goes further than standard industrial products like booms, mats, pads, and rolls. While the absorbents and related products in this list might not be as common, they’re quite useful in their applications. Which could you put to good use?

Drum Funnels

Yellow 55 and 30 gallon drum funnel

— Looking for a handy way to get the liquids you’d like to store into their drums? While they’re not absorbents, Drum Funnels can help you avoid spills and, therefore, the need for absorbent materials since they help with the drum-filling process. Durable Drum Funnels come in 55- and 30-gallon sizes, are made of 100% polyethylene, and are available with and without screens and covers for keeping dirt out.

Acid Neutralizer Absorbent

Have an acid spill? Know for sure with Acid Neutralizer Absorbent! This handy absorbent neutralizes and solidifies acids and also changes color in their presence to alert users when neutralization is complete. Quick, easy to use, and environmentally friendly, Acid Neutralizer Absorbent comes in a waterproof five-gallon pail and is great for battery acid spills.

Bollard Covers

Bollard-covers in various colors

Like Drum Funnels, these Bollard Cover products are not absorbents, but they do provide protection. Covers slip over and protect bollards, reducing the need for maintenance like painting while preventing bollard damage. The brighter color variants can also alert drivers to the presence of bollards, allowing them to avoid damage.

Cigarette Receptacles

Does anyone at your facility smoke? Offer them a designated place to put their butts and help keep your facility clean. Not only do Cigarette Receptacles stop discarded butts from harming the environment, they also offer smokers a convenient place to smoke and put their cigarettes out. In addition, they help prevent fires and come in a variety of styles and colors.

Granular Absorbents

Gran-sorb package

Need a natural, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly way to absorb spills on floors? Made of recycled or biodegradable materials, Granular Absorbents come in four styles: Gran-sorb, Super Sorbent, Peat Moss Absorbent, and Corn Cob Absorbent. Gran-sorb is the most popular and is made from paper mill waste, so it’s free of hazardous materials. Super Sorbent is a universal absorbent and comes in handy shakers for fast small-spill response. Peat Moss Absorbent is perfect for oil-only spills, is biodegradable, and can be incinerated. Corn Cob Absorbent is made from ground corn cobs and holds four times its weight in fluids.

Industrial Safety Products

If you’re looking for a little extra protection, Industrial Safety Products have you covered! From Steel Bollard Posts to Column, Corner, and Wall Protectors, these safety products can guard almost any area at risk of bumps, scuffs, and other damage to protect machinery and your facility.

Drums

For the safest liquid storage, choose Lab, Overpack or Salvage Drums! These high-density polyethylene drums are food-grade quality, come in a variety of sizes, and can contain hazardous waste and chemicals. In addition, multiple lid style options are available, so you can ensure you get the seal you need.

Loading Ramp

Perfect for easily moving your drums, Portable Loading Ramps come in three styles: Container, Curb, and Loading Dock. Container Ramps are made for loading drums into storage containers, Curb Ramps are great for getting hand trucks onto curbs, and Loading Dock Ramps are perfect for higher surfaces like docks.

Incinerator

Portable incinerator in use

Reduce waste and contamination risks on any job site with a Portable Incinerator! Easy to transport, incinerators allow you to burn waste without odors, smoke, fumes, or pollution and also help cut waste-disposal costs. The SmartAsh fits over any 55-gallon steel drum for safe incineration.

AbsorbentsOnline – The One Stop-Absorbents Shop

Which lesser-known absorbents and related products are right for you? Get the protection and safety products you need to keep everyone at your facility ready for anything while reducing risks and protecting your bottom line.

If you need more help deciding which of these products are right for you, contact our sales team today!

SHOP NOW: Drum Funnel
SHOP NOW: Acid Neutralizer Absorbent
SHOP NOW: Bollard Covers
SHOP NOW: Cigarette Receptacle
SHOP NOW: Granular Absorbents
SHOP NOW: Industrial Safety Products
SHOP NOW: Poly Drums
SHOP NOW: Portable Loading Ramp
SHOP NOW: Portable Incinerator

Prepare for Spring with a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

March 14, 2018 by Angie Meza

Although it’s true that “April showers bring May flowers,” the spring season also significantly increases the possibility of stormwater runoff and pollution. Stormwater runoff occurs when snow melts and rain falls onto nonabsorbent surfaces, creating a body of water that picks up debris, dirt, and other pollutants before flowing into a sewer or natural body of water.

Pollutants collected in runoff can adversely affect the environment, and they can also enter into groundwater systems used for drinking. Once there, pollutants can be almost impossible to remove. Runoff carries pollutants ranging from parking lot oils and greases to hazardous materials from construction sites or industrial facilities.

To ensure they’re doing their parts to minimize stormwater pollution, project managers should establish a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for each site and keep each stocked with the proper prevention equipment.

Plan ahead and minimize pollution

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stormwater pollution prevention plan guide, the Clean Water Act requires operators with “discharges associated with industrial activity” to maintain water supply integrity. Therefore, they must establish Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) to mitigate possible environmental damage. An SWPPP is a document that identifies industrial activities at each site, including any structural control practices, which the site operator will implement to prevent pollutants from making their way into bodies of water via stormwater runoff.

SWPPP

The EPA requires site-specific SWPPPs. These written documents identify possible sources of pollution, control measures, and quick-response methods. Creating the most effective SWPPP requires several key steps:

Assess all potential stormwater pollution sources.
Select appropriate control measures that minimize pollutant discharge.
Form a pollution prevention team of qualified employees to educate fellow facility personnel on how to implement the SWPPP.
Develop procedures for conducting required inspection and monitoring activities.

After identifying all potential pollution sources, project managers can choose stormwater protection products such as storm drain covers and drain filter inserts to avoid stormwater runoff contamination. Used to block drains, grates, and manholes, these can help site managers avoid and remove runoff without posing pollution risks. As an alternative solution, managers can direct runoff away from potential containments using spill containment berm dikes. If a storm drain or basin already contains runoff, site managers can use catch basin oil skimmers to continuously absorb hydrocarbons such as diesel, oil, and hydraulic oil while repelling water.

With pollution prevention devices in place, educated employees, and a plan for avoiding future pollution, project managers can be well-prepared for protecting the environment — and protecting themselves against EPA enforcement actions.

Ready to set up your first autoshipment of stormwater products so you’re prepared for spring? Contact our sales team at sales@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Be Ready with a Job Hazard Analysis and Spill Response Plan

March 14, 2018 by Angie Meza

Earlier this year, a chemical spill at a clothing manufacturer in Norton, Massachusetts, triggered a hazmat crew response. Sources report the spill involved chlorine, a chemical the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) defines as hazardous waste, prompting officials to evacuate several homes in the surrounding area.

Despite the countless protocols in place to avoid spills such as this one, these incidents still happen. That’s why spill preparedness is of utmost importance. Part of an industrial facility manager’s job is to train personnel so their responses to unexpected events like chemical spills are automatic and it’s less likely for injury or environmental damage to occur. To meet this goal, facility leaders should have response plans in place for employees to follow and stock their facilities well with absorbents and other spill response equipment.

The first step: Conduct a job hazard analysis

For leaders securing their facilities against emergency spills, conducting a job hazard analysis (JHA) is essential. Designed to carefully identify hazards before they occur, a spill response JHA consists of three distinct steps:

Conduct a thorough facility walk-through, noting all potential spill hazards.
Incorporate any Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards that apply.
Equip work areas with necessary absorbents and spill-control supplies as well as instructions for responding to hazards.

In all steps of the process, it is imperative to involve employees. Group discussions can not only help employees identify spill risk areas but also promote safety awareness throughout the facility. Facility leaders should ask employees to demonstrate their daily tasks and what steps they would take if an emergency spill was to occur as well as what tools would best equip them to respond to such incidents.

Don’t forget a spill response plan

For those who handle hazardous waste, an effective JHA must also contain a spill response plan. According to OSHA’s compliance guidelines, any business in which employees could be exposed to hazardous materials resulting from spills are required to equip employees to deal with those spills.

Key questions to consider when constructing a spill response plan include whether spills require special cleanup materials, such as those safe to use on hazardous spills, and what size spills could possibly occur. Stocking the appropriate tools such as absorbents, drain protectors, drain plugs, drum plugs, and chemical neutralizers can greatly increase the effectiveness of any plan.

All the right tools

With their spill response plans in place, here are three main types of spill kits facility leaders should consider when preparing for a spill:

Universal or general purpose kits designed to address water-based fluids and hydrocarbons
Oil-only kits made with white absorbents that repel water and absorb hydrocarbons only
Hazmat kits made with yellow absorbents to clean aggressive fluids such as acids and solvents

Facility leaders can determine the best spill kits for their needs by considering factors such as the size of a spill and type of container necessary. They can even order custom spill kits for areas where potential spills are larger in volume than available container size.

Knowing industry requirements and the types of chemicals on hand is important, and having equipment such as nonabsorbent drain covers or spill containment berm dikes allows facility leaders to control spills until they can remove the liquid safely. Many also use spill containment trays of different sizes and generally place these underneath batteries or other hazardous chemicals to prevent leakage and contain spills.

Shop Now

Are you looking for a comprehensive guide to prepare for spills in your facility? Our thorough spill response compliance manual can help you consider the possibilities and develop a comprehensive response plan.

To learn more about absorbents and order the products you need for your spill response plan, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Look Into the Future: The Next Decade of Oil Absorbents

January 15, 2018 by Angie Meza

While some absorbent materials can be used only once before they must be discarded, the greener — and more budget-friendly — option for many is to use absorbents they can clean and reuse multiple times. Market predictions show these reusable absorbents are growing in popularity, and will continue to do so over the next decade.

To stay at the leading edge of spill cleanup and preparedness, understanding and selecting the right reusable absorbents for your facility over the coming years will be key.

The 10-year market outlook

Industry experts’ predictions for the next 10 years indicate reusable absorbents will grow significantly in popularity due to a few growth drivers.

Industrialization — One such driver is growing industrialization. Here in the United States, we are in the initial stages of what some are calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution — a technological transformation with the power to disrupt nearly every industry. The increasing fusion of physical and digital worlds is coming together in a complex landscape of emerging technologies that will be capable of changing nearly every facet of modern life. One of the places these changes will likely have a broad impact is in manufacturing, where processes are changing and worker safety and preparedness training is a top priority.
Demand — Of course, with growing industrialization comes a growing likelihood of oil spills and pipeline ruptures. High demand for crude oil, which is transported through land and underwater pipelines, makes up another major driver for growth in the market for these materials. The rise in spills means more cleanup operations utilizing reusable oil absorbents, and the increased risk of having to deal with a spill or leak like this means more and more leaders preparing their companies for accidents by stocking up on the necessary absorbents for the job.
Safety — As a further side effect of the growing rate of spills and leaks, more and more organization decision-makers are putting pressure on preparedness program leaders to ensure workers are equipped to handle spills quickly and effectively when they take place. Regulatory bodies like OSHA are introducing increasingly stringent training and equipment requirements for those who may potentially have to deal with emergency spills.

What does all this mean for those working in industries in which they use absorbent materials? In short, the need for these materials is only going to grow. Choosing the right reusable absorbents and related materials will be essential to keeping up with the next decade’s expanding spill-cleanup needs.

Choosing the right equipment

AbsorbentsOnline offers a wide selection of reusable oil absorbent materials, from pads and rolls designed for quick oil absorption to booms designed for oil spill containment and cleanup in bodies of water. But the reusable oil absorbents themselves aren’t the only investment absorbents users will need to make to experience the convenience and efficiency they provide. To reuse oil absorbents, cleaning equipment designed for use with those absorbents is necessary.

The standard model wringer is the perfect choice for many. This heavy-duty hand wringer can remove fluids from absorbent pads, towels, wipes, rugs, carpets, and flat booms. One EPA report indicated that the standard model wringer enables annual savings of anywhere from 56 to 79%, paying itself off in under five weeks. The chemically resistant rollers are driven by dual gears and can extract sorbents into a collection sink, which funnels into a closed-head 55-gallon drum. A built-in anti-spill valve prevents further spills or leaks during cleanup.

Between the reusable oil absorbent materials and wringers, cleaning up oil spills and leaks can be easy and cost-effective. Additionally, users reduce the economic footprint of cleanup materials by recycling them over multiple uses.

To learn more about reusable oil absorbents and order the products you need, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

New to Buying Absorbents? Make Sure You Shop Smart

September 26, 2017 by Angie Meza

Oil absorbent pads help make easy work of messy cleanup

When you hear the term “industrial absorbents,” you may think of massive factories or plants dealing with major spills and leaks. And while those types of businesses certainly use industrial absorbents to keep their workplaces safe, clean, and prepared, they’re not the only ones who can benefit from the power of industrial absorbents. The efficiency and affordability that make these products such smart choices for industrial applications also make them smart choices on smaller scales, like small businesses, garages, boats, or even your own home.

There are plenty of reasons you may need absorbents: Maybe you have equipment that drips oil or fluids, or maybe you work with liquids that would be dangerous or messy if spilled. Perhaps you just do a lot of cleaning and want to spend less on your supplies!

If the thought of ordering industrial absorbents sounds daunting, don’t worry — it’s easier than you think! Most absorbents are available in a few basic color-coded categories:

Universal — A gray universal absorbent is designed for general-purpose use with a variety of fluids. If you aren’t sure exactly what you’ll need absorbents for, or if you’re mostly using water-based fluids, universal absorbent pillows or universal absorbent pads might be the right choice.
Oil only — Oil-only absorbents are exactly what they sound like: These white absorbents are specifically designed to safely absorb oil-based fluids. Oil-only absorbents like Abzorb oil mats or oil absorbent pads are especially great for garages. Many of these also repel water-based fluids, making it easy to target important spills and leaks.
Hazmat — It might seem like you’re unlikely to have hazardous materials in your home or business, but did you know that even flammable liquids, like rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, and pesticides are considered hazardous? Yellow hazmat absorbents like chemical absorbent socks can help you safely deal with spills of more dangerous natures. Hazardous waste containers keep these fluids and used absorbents under control until you can safely dispose of them.

And there’s more to industrial safety products! Maybe an anti-fatigue mat would improve life for those who stand in your garage, kitchen, or at your cash register. A commercial degreaser could make cleanup easier anywhere, and shop towel wipes are always handy additions to any home and workplace.

Ordering industrial absorbents is easy. And if you decide that they’re useful enough to use regularly, you can set up an auto-shipment service to make sure you never run out of the absorbents you need — and save on your favorite products.

To learn which spill control products are best suited to your life and design your own custom spill kit, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

I Need an Absorbent Fast! Will This One Do the Trick?

July 24, 2017 by Angie Meza

oil spill from a barrel illustration When a spill happens, whether at work or at home, you need something that can stop the spread … fast. Do you have the right product nearby to absorb that spill?

The right products for your liquids

Not all spills are created equal — that’s why not all absorbents are the same. It’s imperative you have the correct materials on hand to deal with the specific spills (and potential risks) your home or facility may encounter.

For example, if you’re working with oil and petroleum products, you need absorbents that repel water so the absorbents can do their job of absorbing the oils that float on top. Oil absorbent booms make it easy to surround a large area and will float on water — even when fully saturated. For quick cleanup of small-scale spills, oil absorbent pads and rolls are flexible solutions.

For those who work with hazardous chemicals, it’s important to use absorbents that can safely contain spilled liquids without breaking down. Using regular absorbents with hazardous materials can be dangerous. That’s why absorbent pads and rolls, absorbent socks, and absorbent pillows are all available in hazmat yellow. This type of absorbent is generally colored yellow to indicate that those nearby must use caution when dealing with the spill area.

When it comes to liquids that don’t fit into the categories of oil and petroleum products or aggressive fluids, universal absorbents are the answer. From socks to pillows and everything in between, most absorbent materials are available as universal absorbents. It’s smart to have some of these general-purpose items around for day-to-day spills and leaks.

The risks of the wrong absorbents

Using the right absorbent can ensure your cleanup goes quickly and effectively. But using the wrong absorbent can be more than just inefficient — it can even be dangerous.

Some absorbents, like Gran-sorb, are made from cellulose, an affordable absorbent for non-corrosive spills. But using a cellulose absorbent on a corrosive liquid spill could cause a dangerous heat reaction to occur. Instead, polypropylene or natural absorbents offer a safer corrosive cleanup option.

The easy way to be prepared

chemical spill responders wearing PPE Choosing the right absorbents and safety gear for the job can be challenging, and making mistakes can cost you. That’s why AbsorbentsOnline offers spill kits specifically designed to meet your needs.

Pick up a general-purpose spill kit if your facility handles water-based fluids or hydrocarbons or an oil-only kit if you handle oil and petroleum. Dealing with hazardous materials? A hazmat spill kit can ensure you’re prepared for any eventuality. Our spill kits vary in size to suit your facility, and we even offer mobile and specialty spill kits.

Looking for something specific? We can even build you a custom spill kit. Every facility is different, so you need a spill kit that matches the liquids and quantities you’re handling.

To learn which spill control products are best suited to your work and design your own custom spill kit, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.