Frequently asked questions and answers about Spill King Absorbent
Q: What is Spill King Absorbent?
A: Spill King Absorbent is classified as an amorphous silica.
Q: What can Spill King absorb?
A: Virtually any known liquid or semi-liquid of any origin--except hydrofluoric acid--off any hard surface.
Q: Why can't hydrofluoric acid be absorbed?
A: Hydrofluoric acid has a reaction when exposed to amorphous silica and turns into a dangerous gas. Do not use Spill King Absorbent on hydrofluoric acid.
Q: How does Spill King work?
A: Spill King encapsulates liquids on contact. The absorbed material actually becomes part of the silica molecule.
Q: How do I know if my spills are hazardous waste?
A: Generally, when the spill has any of the following characteristics:
Ignitable: A flash point of less than 140° Fahrenheit / 60° Celsius.
Corrosive: A pH less than or equal to 2.0 or greater than or equal to 12.5, or corrodes steel at a rate greater then 6.35 mm per year at 55° Celsius.
Reactive: Unstable, reacts violently with water; is sufficiently cyanide or sulfide bearing to produce toxic gas; is capable of detonation, or forms potentially explosive mixtures with water.
Toxic: If the material tests positive and above a certain concentration for 39 contaminants the EPA has listed in Federal regulations ( i.e., certain pesticides, benzene, heavy metals such as lead, mercury ) and halogenated organic substances such as pentachloro phenol and trichloroethylene.
Q: Is Spill King absorbent safe to use?
A: Yes, it meets and exceeds EPA and OSHA requirements for safety and health. Spill King Absorbent is non-toxic, nonflammable and safe for humans, animals and plant life.
Q: Is Spill King Absorbent dangerous to breathe?
A: No, but it is considered a nuisance dust and avoiding any prolonged inhalation is recommended.
Q: Is Spill King Absorbent biodegradable?
A: No, federal law prohibits hazardous wastes to be landfilled if absorbed in biodegradable materials.
Q: Can Spill King Absorbent be landfilled?
A: Yes, Spill King Absorbent meets and exceeds the EPA's final rule on Hazardous Waste Management Liquid in landfills, making it acceptable for disposal in landfills.
Q: Can Spill King Absorbent be incinerated?
A: Yes, if the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) of the absorbed liquid permits. Spill King melts into small glass balls approximately 20% of its original volume at 2,400° Fahrenheit.
Q: Will Spill King Absorbent hurt my floors?
A: No, under normal use Spill King Absorbent does no harm to tile, cement, asphalt or carpeted floors. Spill King Absorbent is slightly abrasive, so some care should be taken if waxed or highly polished surfaces are spilled on; but normally there is no problem.
Q: After a spill has been absorbed with Spill King Absorbent, how is it regulated?
A: Spill King Absorbent becomes the absorbed material as far as disposal regulations are concerned. Disposal must be in accordance with the MSDS of the absorbed product. Consult applicable Federal, State and local regulations for the liquid absorbed and dispose of properly.
Q: How is Spill King Absorbent packaged?
A: Spill King Absorbent comes packaged in plain, lined plastic bags.
Q: How is Spill King Absorbent shipped?
A: Pallet loads ship by truck. Individual bags are shipped by small package carriers.
Q: Can Spill King Absorbent absorb oil off the surface of water?
A: Yes, but it is not designed for that purpose.
Q: What about gasoline?
A: The opinion is that gasoline will probably evaporate so as not to become a disposal problem. Consult your local EPA office for regulations regarding it in your area.
Q: What about paint thinner and solvents?
A: Spill King Absorbent becomes the absorbed material and disposal must be in accordance with the MSDS of the absorbed material. Consult applicable Federal, Sate, and local regulations
Q: What type of materials can I absorb and safely dispose of?
A: In general, most small, unintentional spills of petroleum products, either new or used, that knowingly do not contain any hazardous waste materials, may be landfilled. Examples include new and used motor oil, waste oil, transmission oil, grease, brake fluid, antifreeze, hydraulic fluid, some paint. If there is no free liquid present, these can be discarded into waste receptacles without any harm to the environment and may be taken to any Class I landfill. However, due to the wide ranges statewide of the susceptibility of drinking water supplies to contamination, some local governments are very strict about what can and cannot be landfilled. Always check local ordinances.
Q: I am using kitty litter now; can it be landfilled?
A: Inorganic materials (such as clay-based kitty litter) have a relatively low BTU value and contribute a large amount of ash following incineration. OSHA apparently has some concern with the breathable dust problem associated with less-than-careful use of this material (the silica dust has been found to be a mild carcinogen).
Q: Kitty litter is cheap. So, how does Spill King compare in price?
A: Kitty litter is inexpensive, but has a low absorption ratio (volume applied vs. volume absorbed). This is a factor in tipping fees at both landfills and WTE's as well as in the valuable landfill space taken up by this material. It requires more than 15 pounds of kitty liter to pick-up a quart of 10W40 motor oil, whereas it only takes one pound of Spill King Absorbent to do the same.
Q: Kitty litter does not do a very good job of cleaning up my spills. I usually have to use another product to get the oil slick off the floor, and of course all of this takes time. How does Spill King compare in this area?
A: Spill King requires no secondary cleaning, leaves no residue, does not soil any waste containers and leaves a perfectly dry waste stream.
Q: I have heard that kitty litter causes cancer. Is this true?
A: Many clay-based and DE- (diatomaceous earth) based absorbents contain crystalline silica. The IARC lists (in Monogram 42) "crystalline" silica as a "probable" carcinogen, and identifies substances containing 0.1% or more "crystalline" silica as "probable" carcinogens. Refer to IARC referenced in this Q&A presentation.