DIATOMITE USED TO REMOVE OIL FROM CITY STREETS

DIATOMITE, WHICH CONSISTS OF SKELETAL REMAINS FROM SMALL AQUATIC PREHISTORIC PLANTS AND IS HIGHLY REGARDED AS A FILLER MATERIAL, HAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF ABSORBING 2.2 TIMES ITS OWN WEIGHT IN OIL. THE CITY OF UPLAND (CALIF.) HAS BEEN USING DIATOMITE TO CLEAN UP OIL SPILLS CAUSED BY AUTO AND TRUCK COLLISIONS. IT IS EASIER TO HANDLE AND APPLY THAN SAND OR SAWDUST, REDUCES APPLICATION AND RESPONSE TIME BY AT LEAST 400%, AND IS NOT HARMFUL TO HUMANS OR ANIMALS. IT PICKS UP MORE OIL THAN SAND, DOES NOT BLOW AWAY, IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN SAND TO USE, AND REDUCES TIME AND MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Authors:
  • Terry, H
• Publication Date: 1972-9

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 80
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absorbents; Cleaning; Oils; Spills (Pollution)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Diatomite
• Old TRIS Terms: Absorbers /materials/; Diatomaceous earth; Spillage
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00219030
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 1973 12:00AM