What are Sorbents and related Regulations?

General Definition:

Sorbents: Products used to absorb liquids, including oil, petroleum based fluids, chemicals and water.



Types of Sorbents:

  • Oil Only
  • Chemical
  • Industrial/Maintenance


The more common industrial regulations include:


1) EPA Regulations


  • Containment:  [40 CFR 264.175]

(a) Container storage areas must have a containment system that is designed and operated in accordance with par. b of this section.

(b) A containment system must be designed and operated as follows:

The containment system must have sufficient capacity to contain 10% of the volume of the containers or the volume of the largest container, whichever is greater.


  • Sorbent materials is one option for preventing oil spills from reaching waterways.

EPA: [40 CFR 112.7 (c) (1) (vii) [1997]


  • EPA requires you to control sources of storm water runoff.

EPA: [40 CFR 122.26 (1997)]


  • EPA requires transporters to clean up any hazardous waste discharge.

EPA: [40 CFR 263.31 (1997)]



2) OSHA Regulations


  • Clean, dry workplace floors.

OSHA:  [29 CFR 1910.22(a) (2) (1997)]


  • DOT-specified containers and suitable quantities of absorbents shall be kept available for response to spills.

OHSA: [29 CFR 1910.120(j) (1) (vii) (1997)]




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