Spill control pillows

Spills of liquids, even of relatively innocuous materials, are messier and more likely to come into contact with other materials with which they may interact. The use of absorbent materials (such as loose absorbent, spill control pillows, and absorbent pads) which should be immediately available in the laboratory, quickly confine the area of the spUl, the immediate problems are minimized, and the clean-up is considerably easier. 

Spill control pillows. These commercially available pillows generally can be used for absorbing solvents, acids, and caustic alkalis, but not hydrofluoric acid. 

After the contact time for the decontaminant-soaked spill area has elapsed, clean up the liquid. Continue to wear respiratory protection and protective clothing. Spill-control pillows may be used. Take care not to increase the area of the spill work from the outside of the spill toward the center. A... 

Commercially available spill-control products are stocked by major scientific supply vendors and by safety product supply companies. Assortments of different sizes of the spill-control pillows, together with a selection of related products, should be kept in locations convenient to the laboratories and should be replaced when used. These products can be useful for cleaning up a biological agent spill after decontamination or spills of radioactive liquids. One kit may serve several laboratories. Thus a small investment may prove to be a wise step. 

Spills of chemicals that do not pose a serious hazard, e.g., that are not flammable, nor particularly volatile, corrosive, or toxic, can be cleaned up by absorbing with spill-control pillows, paper towels, or specific chemicals that can inactivate or absorb spills of weak acids or bases, oils, aqueous salt solutions, etc. Use a dustpan and brush for cleanup. Wear gloves and eye protection. Dispose of waste with chemical wastes, rather than throwing it in the general waste. Clean area with soap and water after the waste has been removed. 

As we saw earlier, you should not attempt to chemically neutralize these substances. Absorb the liquids with spill-control pillows designed for acids or alkalies. If these are not available, call your safety office or fire department for assistance. Some authorities believe that diluting the chemicals in the spill with water is better than no treatment at all until help arrives, but remember that many strong acids and bases are highly hygroscopic, releasing heat upon reaction with water be certain that you are not exposed to the resulting steam or spatters of acid or alkali. You can see that it is absolutely essential to have the proper supplies to clean up these spills. 

Use spill-control pillows to contain the spill. Wear coveralls, rubber apron, gloves, face protection, rubber boots, and, if necessary, respiratory protection (especially for spills of hydrochloric and nitric acids). Materials left after cleanup is completed should be handled as hazardous chemical wastes. Complete cleanup by washing the area of the spill with a detergent solution, and have any damage repaired. 

The first step for spills of flammable chemicals is to extinguish all open flames and to turn off or disconnect all sources of ignition, such as ovens, heaters, motors, etc. Also, all personnel in the area must be notified as quickly as possible. If fume hoods are located in the room and are operating, leave them on. If they are not, be careful. Operation of the switch may create a spark. Use spill-control pillows for volatile substances. Certain compounds are very hazardous and require special procedures, equipment, knowledge, or all of these. Such compounds include the following ... 

Contain the spill. Placing absorbent material such as paper towels, spill-control pillows, cloth, etc. over the area will prevent the spill from spreading by preventing liquid from flowing away. If the spilled material is a powder, eliminate air currents by closing doors, windows, and—if possible—air vents, and cover the spill with a protective barrier. (If a radioactive gas is released, do not turn off the ventilation, as the release of the gas to the environment is the preferred procedure.) Take care not to walk into the material and track contamination around and out of the laboratory. 

Commercially available clean-up products (including spill-control pillows of various sizes)... 

Absorb using paper towels, shaker dispensed Spill-X-A type for acids and Spill-X-C type for caustic or basic substances, spill-control pillows. 

Absorb the spill using spill-control pillows or other absorbent materials designed for volatile agents. 

Between 7 47 PM on Dec 2,2000 and 12 56 AM on Dec 3,2000, three spill-pillows (each containing approximately 20 pounds of liquid waste) were processed. How much of that was chemical agent VX is unknown. The spill-pillows contained talcum powder and an amorphous silicate absorbent. The 5X treated remains of the pillows, cardboard mines, fuses, and kicker chutes passed through the DFS and the non-combustible ash exited the heated discharge conveyor (HDC) to bin 135. At 8 06 AM on Dec 3, 2000 bin 135 was placed in the staging area (outside primary engineering control) with the lid open to cool. 

The conclusions of the investigation team as summarized in the report were The process of sending VX contaminated liquid and saturated spill pillows to the DFS in excess of the decontamination capability of the furnace system appears to be the major cause of the chemical event. There are no other scenarios consistent with the physical evidence observed in bin 135 that could have resulted in the agent levels that were recorded during this chemical event. A faster response from the lab and a procedure that includes an action level for the exceedance of waste control limits would have reduced the amount of time bin 135 was outside of engineering controls. A detailed review of standard operating procedures for bulk solid waste fed to the DFS should be conducted. In addition, a narrower definition of what constitutes bulk solid waste should be developed. ... 

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