How to Clean Spilled Antifreeze
Puddles of spilled antifreeze are harmful to groundwater and potentially fatal to people and, especially, household pets. There are two types of antifreeze: the greenish-yellow ethylene glycol type, which has a sweet flavor and is toxic when ingested; and the pink or orange propylene glycol variety, which is less toxic. If you spill some of either type in your garage, home or patio, clean it up quickly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Confine pets away from the area of the spill until it has been fully cleaned.
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Pour kitty litter, sand or other absorbent material on the spill immediately. Allow the material to absorb as much of the antifreeze as possible.
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Put on rubber gloves. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, antifreeze can be absorbed through the skin and cause damage to internal organs. Pick up and discard the absorbent material using paper towels.
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Clean the area vigorously using soap and warm water. If the spill is in the garage or outdoors, you can hose the remaining suds and water into your lawn. Rinsing it into the lawn allows the soil to filter the toxins before they reach groundwater, while if hosed into the street it goes straight into storm drains, according to the Watershed Education Network. If it is indoors, sop it up with paper towels and discard them. Do not rinse the water and suds down the drain.
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Immediately secure the used paper towels and absorbent material where it won't be disturbed by animals until it can be picked up with the rest of your trash.
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Tips & Warnings
Though labeled "nontoxic," propylene glycol antifreeze is just less toxic, animals could still get sick if they drank enough of it, according to EPA.
Rinsing antifreeze or liquids tainted with antifreeze down the drain is against the law in some areas.
If any human or pet ingests the spilled antifreeze, seek medical attention for that person or animal immediately.
References
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