ENWARE is the exclusive Australian distributer of Nanoscale Corporation USA’s FAST-ACT (First Applied Sorbent Treatment — Against Chemical Threats) rapid response safety kit. The kit is said to improve safety in the mining industry.
FAST-ACT offers one-step neutralisation of either liquid or vapour spills of some of the world’s most highly toxic chemicals in addition to Hydrofluoric acid (HF). HF is an extremely corrosive liquid and a contact poison that is widely used in resources industry.
The supplier says HF is particularly dangerous because it penetrates tissue more quickly than typical acids and systemic toxicity can occur via contact with skin, eyes or swallowing. HF interferes with nerve function, meaning that burns may not initially be painful.
Accidental exposures can go unnoticed, delaying treatment and increasing the extent and seriousness of the injury. More seriously, once absorbed into blood through the skin, it reacts with blood calcium and may cause cardiac arrest or amputation, and has been fatal in extreme cases.
FAST-ACT has demonstrated its effectiveness on hydrofluoric acid during successful trials at the Australian National University undertaken to complement its successful use on the most Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs) and Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMs) in the market.
This means it is unique and ideal for use on chemicals most likely to pose hazards in resources, industrial and laboratory applications in Australia and New Zealand, says Enware Product Manager Scott Whittaker.
Whittaker says the FAST-ACT range is one of the world’s most advanced chemical hazard neutralisation technologies, originally developed for the US military to counter Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs).
For industrial applications, wall-mounted FAST-ACT units can be tailored to user requirements, employing 70g, 300g, 500g, 3kg and 5kg shaker tubs of the product, and 1, 2 and 4kg “fire extinguisher” style pressurised cylinders for liquids, vapour and off-gassing.
The technology break-through enables relatively small quantities of product to be used immediately on toxic liquid or vapour incidents. Only relatively small amounts are required because FAST-ACT molecular technology creates a massive increase in the powder’s active surface area.
FAST-ACT helps neutralise toxic chemical incidents rapidly (liquid or vapour), facilitating rescues where these are needed and reducing the need for total evacuations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Enware Australia, 9 Endeavour Road, Caringbah, Sydney 2229, ph (02) 9525 9511, fax (02) 9525 9536, safety@enware.com.au.