For a long time, I have been vexed by the separation of two issues that seem, to me, to be inextricably intertwined; I am talking here about environmental issues and questions of health and safety. Who was it that separated the human element from the environmental equation?
If a container of highly corrosive chemical is tipped over and flows towards a storm drain and a worker is standing in its path, is this an environmental or a health and safety issue? Well, it’s going to kill a lot of aquatic life forms in the river it flows into and it sure isn’t going to do the poor worker much good either, so, obviously, it’s both.
Because of the separation of environmental and health concerns, printer response to such spills is often totally inadequate in equipment, materials, planning, and staff training. Spill Response should be part of a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Plan. This plan—required under various national regulations—should encompass fire, spills, medical, lockout/tag out, and evacuation to protect our businesses, our staff, and the environment.
In our industry, we handle many different types of hazardous materials and industrial liquids, from flammable solvents to corrosive CTP chemistry. As each material is different in nature and composition, we need separate absorbents and clean up equipment for each substance, as one size does not fit all.
An unfortunate example of the need for a variety of spill-cleanup products occurred when a container of film developer in a supplier’s warehouse in Markham was knocked off a rack and the worker poured a bag of granular “cat litter” adsorbent on it. The silica-based granules reacted with the hydroxide in the developer and started smoking with nasty fumes, so the worker dumped more on. Shortly thereafter, the warehouse caught on fire.
I often see this same granular adsorbent spread around printing presses to soak up hydraulic oil leaks. Printers likely use this material because it’s cheap, but it has many problems. First, being silica, it is very abrasive to the expensive machinery—would you put sand in your car’s gearbox? Second, silica is a known carcinogen. Third it is not an absorbent, it is an adsorbent—it works through the temporary surface adhesion of the oil to the granules.
Since silica doesn’t absorb, it quickly leaves a mess and becomes hazardous waste, as the oil will leach out and therefore can’t be put in the garbage or landfill. Same goes for socks or pigs that use non organic granules.
Rather than the granulated silica, the best product to use is a humic-fibre or non-organic absorbent such as Peat Sorb or Surface Sorb. They both have some fantastic features, such as a natural affinity to liquid hydrocarbons like oils and solvents. It absorbs the oil into its micro-tube fibres by capillary action, locking it up so it won’t leach out, and it is also non-toxic and non-abrasive.
These absorbents were discovered by Johnson & Johnson in Western Canada in answer to the Exxon Valdez disaster. Thousands of gallons of oil, floating over a wide area and heading towards sensitive coastal regions was a real challenge. To meet the challenge, Johnson and Johnson dehydrated Canadian broadleaf sphagnum peat moss, which turned out to absorb 25 times its own weight in oil—and it floats! It is also safe for landfill disposal, as the natural bacteria and pH of the peat moss breaks down the oil into its elements of hydrogen, carbon, and water. It’s a pragmatic and environmentally-sound approach to the problem—typically Canadian.
There are many commercially available Spill Kits, and you can also build your own. You need protective clothing, including gloves and splash-proof goggles; different absorbents for water, corrosives, and solvent/ oil based spills; socks and pads; a plastic shovel (sparks and flammables don’t mix); and a plastic drum container for the waste. Finally, please don’t try sucking up spilled blanket wash with a shop-vac; I’ve seen it tried…and I’ve also seen the resulting explosions.
John Piggott
Environmental issues
ecosafe@rogers.com 905.430.9049