In cases of acid spills, which of the following can be applied to the spill before treating it with adsorbent material?

• A. Acetic acid
• B. Sodium bicarbonate
• C. Water
• D. Sodium bisulfite

Answer: (B)

Neutralizing the acid spill with a base before using an adsorbent helps reduce hazard and makes cleanup safer and more effective. Sodium bicarbonate reacts with acids to form a salt and water, with carbon dioxide released as a fizz and gas. This neutralization lowers the solution’s acidity and reduces the heat that can accompany acid spills, so the subsequent absorbent material can soak up the liquid more efficiently and with less risk of spreading or reacting further. Using an acid like acetic acid would worsen the spill, and adding water, while it might dilute, does not neutralize the acid and can spread the contaminant. Sodium bisulfite isn’t used for neutralizing acids and can introduce unwanted chemical interactions. Therefore, sodium bicarbonate is the appropriate pre-treatment.