44 Tow Professional | Volume 4 • Issue 1 | www.towprofessional.com
polypropylene or cellulose materials.
Finally, Maintenance sorbents absorb
non-aggressive liquids, including
water and petroleum based-liquids
and oils. They are made of the same
materials as universal or petroleum
sorbents, or recycled materials such
as corncobs, cotton, cellulose or wool.
Sorbents come in many forms. Large-
diameter booms and smaller-diameter
socks are cylinder-shaped sorbents of var-
ious lengths that are placed around a spill
to keep it from spreading. Pillows are rec-
tangular shaped and are used to clean up
spills or be placed in areas were minor
dripping of chemical occurs. Pads are sor-
bent materials that come in flat, rectangu-
lar sheets. They may also be purchased in
long rolls, which have pads that can be
torn off the roll as needed. Loose sor-
bents, which are not contained in any
specific form, are sprinkled over smaller
spills to absorb liquids. They come in a
granular powdered format and can be
made of polypropylene, cellulose, corn-
cobs, cotton, clay or wool.
Using storm water inlet covers for
curbside storm water drains and manhole
drains prevents the spilled fluids from
contaminating the environment. Inlet cov-
ers or wedges are usually made of imper-
vious solid materials such as flexible PVC
or polyurethanes. The use of sorbent
booms or socks is another alternative that
may be employed.
Employees responding to incidents
where a hazardous material spill may
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