Solidifiers: What are the different types?
No matter how hard you try to avoid them, spills happen. It’s important to have a supply of solidifiers to protect you and those around you from potentially hazardous and infectious materials. But what are the different types of solidifiers?
Solidifiers come in all shapes and sizes, from powders to absorbent sheets to spill kits. At Safetec of America, we manufacture a full line of spill control products, each one designed to aid in the cleanup of spills.
Types of Solidifiers
It’s crucial for any place of business that handles hazardous or potentially infectious fluids to have the right solidifiers available. By having the proper solidifier, you can ensure the safety of your employees, patients, and the environment by preventing exposure. Knowing the difference between solidifiers can help you understand which is best to use under what circumstances.
- Powder solidifiers– designed to be sprinkled or poured over various liquids to absorb and transform them into a semi-solid (gel) mass quickly. Safetec’s powdered solidifiers include:
- Acid Lock® Ideal for handling hazardous acid spills.
- Alky Fluid® For handling hazardous alkyd solvent spills.
- FSC 1 Formalin Spill Control: Reduces exposure to formaldehyde gas.
- Green-Z®: For blood, body fluids, toxic chemicals, biological hazards, and chemotherapy agent spills.
- Red Z®: For any spill where blood or body fluids may be present.
- Petro Lock: For handling petroleum-based spills.
- Speedy Cleanz®: For vomit, urine, or other body fluid spills.
- Absorbent Sheets– These are an alternative solidifier to loose powders; Safetec’s brand of superabsorbent sheets are called Zorb Sheets. Made from a blend of super absorbent polymer and cellulose fibers, they are air-laid to form a sheet and then bonded together. They are offered in many standard sizes and can be cut into custom sizes as well. They are great options for preemptive spill control and spill cleanup.
Safetec’s diverse line of solidifiers ensures that you have the right tools available for any spill situation. Whether you’re dealing with hazardous drugs, body fluids, or everyday spills, our products are tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. Our solidifiers are effective, easy to use, and help you stay compliant with safety regulations.
How Do I Choose the Right One?
To choose the right solidifier from Safetec’s product line, consider the following steps:
- Identify the Type of Spill: Determine the nature of the liquid you need to solidify. Is it biohazardous, chemical, or a non-hazardous liquid?
- Assess the Spill Volume: Estimate the volume of the spill. Do you need a single use pouch or a bucket?
- Consider the Cleanup Environment: Think about where the spill occurred. Different environments, such as healthcare facilities, laboratories, or industrial settings, may have specific requirements for solidifier use.
- Check Compatibility: Ensure that the solidifier is compatible with the liquid and the surfaces involved. Some solidifiers are designed for particular types of liquids and may not work as effectively with others.
- Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Consult the Safety Data Sheets for detailed information on the solidifier’s properties and usage instructions.
- Consult Product Resources: Utilize customer support, product sell sheets, and online resources for recommendations tailored to your specific needs.
Use in Healthcare and Industrial Settings
Spills in healthcare and industrial settings are inevitable and can occur with a variety of substances—posing a potentially hazardous threat to employees, patients, and the environment. Ranging from chemicals to blood and body fluids, it is very important to have the proper spill control items readily available, especially in a healthcare setting.
Healthcare
Blood, body fluids, and hazardous drug spills can happen at a moment’s notice in a healthcare setting. Safetec’s solidifiers, like Green-Z®, Red Z®, Speedy Cleanz® and Zorb Sheets, are ideal solutions for protecting against these types of spills. Each product can quickly absorb liquid, turning it into a gel-like mass that is easily cleaned up, which minimizes the risk to employees responsible for cleaning up the spill.
In a hypothetical situation, blood is spilled in a hospital room, exposing patients and staff to potentially hazardous bloodborne pathogens; what do you do?
Apply Red Z® to the spill; the fast-acting solidifier will quickly absorb the spill. Once the spill is solidified and contained, it can be disposed of safely, protecting those around it from exposure. And remember, always wear proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) when cleaning up spills.
Another situation, a worker in diagnostic lab is opening a specimen container of body fluids. Having a Zorb sheet underneath the container preemptively maintains any spills that could occur, keeping the workspace free from potentially infectious diseases and will contain a spill instantly if it were to occur.
Industrial
Extending beyond the healthcare industry, solidifiers are essential in various industrial settings, including manufacturing plants, chemical processing plants, the automotive industry, electronics manufacturing, the pharmaceutical industry, and transport and logistics. In these environments, spills of oils, chemicals, biohazardous materials, and other liquids can pose significant health, safety, and contamination risks.
Solidifiers play a crucial role in quickly containing and cleaning up spills, thereby minimizing downtime, preventing slips and falls, and ensuring compliance with hygiene and safety regulations, providing a sense of security and protection.
An auto technician is changing a part underneath a car and accidentally hits and breaks the coolant lines. Coolant spills on the concrete floor causing a slipping hazard. What should they do? Because coolant is a chemical, they should choose Safetec’s chlorine-free Green-Z® and shake over the spill.
Once solidified, they should use a scoop and scraper to dispose of the mess in a proper container. Choosing a chlorine-free product reduces the risk of causing chlorine-induced corrosion on metal surfaces. (Always wear proper PPE when cleaning up spills.)
Are Solidifiers Safe to Use?
Yes, super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are generally considered non-toxic and a safe and easy solution to combating spills. These polymers are chemically inert and biocompatible, making them suitable for use around humans and animals without causing adverse reactions. Always follow manufacturer guidelines for their use, handling, and disposal to make sure you’re choosing the right one for the type of spill you’re cleaning up.
After a spill is safely contained and solidified, always properly dispose of the waste safely. Check local, state, and federal regulations for proper guidance on disposal.
Safetec of America
For over 30 years, Safetec has been a leading American-made manufacturer of infection control, first aid, and over-the-counter products. Red Z®, our flagship product, was created to help protect against potentially hazardous spills during the AIDS epidemic. Since then, our spill control products have expanded to feature a full line of products like powder and sheet solidifiers to prepackaged spill kits—all manufactured in Buffalo, N.Y.