Neutralizing acid spills

Audrey Sylvain

 Neutralizing acid spills

Acid spills are something that happens in many different environments whether it be in a school laboratory or from a truck leaking on the road. Knowing the risk and how to deal with them is important. 

Acid spills can be dangerous to the environment, structures, and humans. Acid spills caused by Humans can release toxic gas causing illnesses or even death. If the spill happens to come in contact with skin it can cause severe burns, as well as can damage eyesight, and cause respiratory issues. If acid spills happen in the natural environment it can cause serious effects.  In waters, acid can lower pH levels causing an unlivable environment for some organisms, while if acid is in the soil it can spread toxins to plants making it inhabitable. Acid spills can also cause fires or explosions which can damage anything near it.

Accidents do happen that are known but there are precautions we can take to reduce acid spills. Checking equipment to make sure no flaws are present before transportation mass amounts of acids are important. In classrooms using spills, trays are important to be able to contain a spill if it happens. The last is having a safety plan so in case of emergency, you have a solution on hand and know what to do.

Neutralizing acid spills can be simple if knowing the science behind them. First when there is an acid spill is to identify what the chemical spill is.  Knowing this we can determine the pH level of the spill. Once knowing the pH level of the acid spill the goal is to neutralize it or get it as close to a pH level of 7 as possible. This also applies to basic spills.  Both are important to make them safe to clean up. For example, something such as bleach has a pH of 12 making it basic and lemon juice has a pH of 2 making it acidic, meaning that lemon juice could be used to neutralize bleach making it safer for cleaning up if spilled. 

Acids are all around us and accidents do happen.  Knowing how pH levels work and how to neutralize acids is the best way to deal with them safely. Making sure you are safely dealing with acids with a plan is the most important thing to prevent injuries and serious issues.

References 

“Dangers of Chemical Spills & The Importance of Responding Quickly.” Safety Storage UK, 24 Apr. 2019, https://safetystoragesystems.co.uk/blog/chemical-spill-immediate-response/#:~:text=Human%20Effects&text=The%20greater%20the%20concentration%20of,harm%20to%20the%20respiratory%20tract.

“How to Neutralize Chemical Spills | Lab Manager.” Lab Manager, https://www.labmanager.com/lab-health-and-safety/how-to-neutralize-chemical-spills-20529.

 Accessed 16 May 2021.