AboutDr. Henry Boyter, Jr. Expertise No homework or other schoolwork! The question will be rejected. If you have not searched www.google.com, do so before posting. If you are a student, give your grade and course. Everyone, explain the purpose and context for the question.
Experience in the area Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.
Experience Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.
Question We accidently ran over a car battery with a "bush-hog"...no one was hurt...the battery and fluids ended up in my back yard....I have two dogs...What and how do I clean this up?...any suggestions?
Answer Is it contained or on the ground?
If on the ground, with very heavy rubber gloves pick up the pieces and put them in a big plastic bucket or barrel and fill the barrel 2/3 full with water. Add SMALL amounts of lime measuring the pH as you go with stirring. You can get pH indicator paper at pet stores that have fish or Lowes or Home Depot. Keep adding lime until you get pH 6-8. You can then pour the water down the sewer. The pieces should be rinsed off some more to make sure all the acid is gone. Disposing of the pieces will probably need to go to a metal recycler (since it is lead) or to a waste group in you local government. For the ground follow the instructions on raising the pH here.
Till a bigger area than you think needs it to make sure.
If already in a bucket use the same instructions, but use a bigger bucket and only fill half way and add the lime with stirring even slower since the reaction will be more vigerous with the liquid. Do NOT add lime directly to the battery acid, always dilute first.
During all of this WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES !!!!
Of course NO METAL TOOLS, just in case there is still some zap.
Technically, you should have called the local fire department for help since this is a hazardous waste spill. However, they may charge you for the cleanup.
The opinions expressed are those of Dr. Boyter and
are provided for informational purposes only and
should not be used as advice. No warranty or
expression of professionalism is implied.
