Spill Clean Up

Lincoln University Police Department

Appropriate Absorbents for Special Spill Clean-up

Acid Chlorides

• Use Oil-Dri, Zorb-All, or dry sand.
• Avoid water and avoid sodium bicarbonate.
  
  

Alkali Metals (lithium, sodium, magnesium, potassium)

• Smother with dry sand or cover with contents from a Class “D” fire extinguisher.

      Use of a Class “D” fire extinguisher is the preferred extinguishing method.

• Avoid contact with water.
  
  

 White or Yellow Phosphorus

• Blanket with wet sand or wet absorbent.
  
  

Bromine

• Neutralize spill with a 5% solution of sodium thiosulfate.
• Absorb with inert absorbent material.

 
Hydrofluoric Acid

• Neutralize with soda ash or lime (or absorb spill with special HF spill pillow).
• Absorb with inert absorbent material.

Mercury

Look at Mercury Clean-up Page.

Call EH&S (681-5496) and ask for assistance if you are unable to accomplish adequate clean up.