CHEMICAL SPILLS CONTAINMENT AND CLEAN-UP

Preview This section describes how you should respond to a chemical spill and how common chemical spills can be cleaned up. 

We received the call, it was an unidentified chemical, we responded. I called for additional resource so that you d have people to do the research on the chemical and things of that nature. We did the reconnaissance to determine what the chemical was. We identified the product. The product was contained and we ve stabilized the incident. 

Roger Evans, Local County Battalion Fire Chiefs 

What lessons can be learned from this incident  

Section 2.1.3 presented an introduction to how to handle spills of solids and liquids in most academic labs associated with courses. Section 2.2.2 discussed the causes of spills and measures to take to prevent them. This section discusses the kinds of spills and chemical releases that are more likely to occur in advanced and research labs. 

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CHEMICAL SPILLS CONTAINMENT AND CLEAN-UP General Procedures... 

Containment materials — In order to prevent the spread of large amounts of Uquid chemicals, a supply of diking materials needs to be maintained. Ready access to a supply of bales of straw is a great asset. Straw is cheap, easily handled, and easy to clean up afterward. In the event of a spill reaching a stream, floating booms and skimmers are useful in containing and cleaning up the spill. Booms are not effective for materials more dense than water and not water soluble. 

The chemicals in syringes are transported to the SCBs in kits of materials and equipment The chemical hazard from acid and base corrosive chemicals wiQ be mitigated by remote handling in the SCBs and by the sealed process hardware and glassware. -Any spills are contained in a spill tray and cleaned up with an acid spill kit in the SCB. 

A spill of a chemical while working with or transporting it can occur even in the most safety-conscious laboratory. Chapter 12 discussed the hazards of various chemicals to personnel and materials, and also covered some recommended methods for treating chemical injuries. Keep in mind that planning and preparation for containing and cleaning up a chemical spill should not wait until after an accident has occurred. Unfortunately, chemical spills occur in virtually every research laboratory eventually, so preparation for an accident should be made before a re-... 

SPILL CLEAN-UP ventilate area of leak or spill vapor suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors absorb or cover liquids with non-combustible materials (e.g., dry earth, sand, vermiculite), and transfer to chemical waste containers use clean non-sparking tools to collect absorbed materials flush remaining spill with large amounts of water but not into confined spaces such as sewers due to possibility of explosion remove all sources of ignition (e.g., flares, sparks or flames). 

SPILL CLEAN-UP ventilate area of leak or spill contain and reclaim liquid when possible collect liquid in an appropriate container or absorb with an inert material (e.g., dry sand, earth, veimiculite), and place in a chemical waste container flush remaining octane with large amounts of water, but not into spaces such as sewers because of danger of explosion if leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse the vapor remove all sources of ignition. 

All laboratories that handle hazardous chemicals shall have an appropriate supply of spill cleanup kits. The supply must be capable of containing or cleaning up small, known chemical releases. Laboratory personnel should not attempt to clean up a spill of hazardous chemicals if appropriate spill cleanup supplies and protective equipment are not available or if the chemical or level of exposure hazard is unknown. In these cases, contact ESD for assistance. Laboratory sinks should be periodically inspected for leaks, and traps should be kept full of water to prevent drain vapors from entering the laboratory. 

Hazardous chemical spills may have adverse effects on natural water systems, tlie land enviromnent, and whole ecosystems, as well as tlie atmosphere. Major spills evolve from accidents (see Chapter 6) tliat somehow damage or rupture vessels, tank cars, or piping used to store, sliip, or transport liazardous materials. In such cases, the spills must be contained, cleaned up, and removed as quickly and effectively as possible. 

Spills of endosulfan, according to FAOAVHO (1975a), should be cleaned up by first washing with 5% sodium hydroxide solution and then rinsing with large quantities of water. In addition, empty containers that held endosulfan residues should be rinsed two or three times with water while the sides are scrubbed, and once with 5% sodium hydroxide solution. Thus decontaminated, the empty containers can be recycled and used by pesticide manufacturers to package a chemical similar to endosulfan if the containers remain in good condition and if such reuse is not prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. 

Chemical spills in the laboratory may be hazardous, damaging to flooring and furniture finishes, or simply messy to clean up. Laboratory equipment houses and distributors of safety equipment carry a variety of clean-up kits made for specific types of spills, depending on the types of chemicals handled. Generally, the kits contain absorbents or neutralizers, or a combination of the two, plus instructions for use. Kits should be stored as close as possible to where spills are likely to occur and not in a remote storeroom. Instructions must be kept with the kits, not in a file cabinet. Quick action in case of a spill is important in reducing both hazards and damage. 

Hazardous chemical/oil spill or leak. Contain the flow as quickly as possible and as soon as possible clean up the waste and any soil or other materials that may have become contaminated with waste ... 

The second part of the environmental impact analysis (EIA) relates to the effects of a major accident or spill within the plant. The safety aspects of an explosive gas discharge (for example) should be considered in conjunction with the loss prevention studies for the plant (Section 8.2.3). However, proposals for containment, clean-up, and discharge of major chemical spills should be part of the EIA report. Any proposals should ensure the safety of personnel, minimise the discharge and its effect on the environment, and preserve the integrity of the plant. The worst situation should be evaluated, not just the most likely scenario. Factors to be considered include the quantity and location of chemicals... 

Spilled sohd azides can normally be cleaned up by saturating them with an appropriate killing solution (described in the next section) or by flushing them into a wet sawdust trap, which is then destroyed by chemical action or heat. Dry azide samples can sometimes be conveniently cleaned up by use of a simple suction flask containing kill solution, and the "house vacuum."... 

SPILL CLEAN-UP Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat, apron or coveralls war splash-proof safety goggles enclose operations and/or use local exhaust ventilation at site of chemical release use self-contained breathing apparatus maintain eyewash baths and safety showers in work area. 

SPILL CLEAN-UP Stop or control leak if possible use water spray to cool and disperse vapors absorb liquid in noncombustible materials (e.g., dry earth, sand or vermiculite), and place in chemical waste container. 

SPILL CLEAN-UP Collect leaking liquid in sealable containers, or absorb in sand or inert absorbent and remove to safe place do not allow this chemical to enter the environment. 

SPILL CLEAN-UP Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers vacuum spilled substance, then remove to a safe place, consult on expert when attempting to clean up this chemical. 

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