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Q. Why is Oil Sponge better than other absorbents?
A. Not only is Oil Sponge more absorbent than most competing absorbents (up to 8 times more than clay) which greatly reduces your disposal costs, but Oil Sponge+ contains a microbial package that has the capability to degrade a broad spectrum of hydrocarbons, including light hydrocarbons, benzenes, diesels, gasoline, BTEX, and related fuels found in contaminated soil and water.

Q. Is Oil Sponge safe for the environment?
A. Yes, Oil Sponge was developed to restore the environment to its natural state. When used properly Oil Sponge prevents collateral damage by minimizing the migration of spilled fluids. Oil Sponge+ contains a specific microbial and nutrient package that aids in the bio remediation of contaminated soil.

Q. Who confirms your test results?
A. All of our test results are from third party references, such as independent laboratories, government testing and no-related parties to Phase III like distributors and customers.

Q. How fast does Oil Sponge absorb an oil spill?
A. A lot depends on the type of petroleum fluid being absorbed. Due to the unique fiber structure of Oil Sponge, absorption will start immediately. Incidental spills on a hard surface can be completely absorbed within a few minutes.

Q. Will Oil Sponge absorb anti-freeze?
A. It will absorb the glycols in the anti-freeze, but generally Oil Sponge is not very effective on water or water-based spills.

Q. What is the shelf life of Oil Sponge?
A. Oil Sponge has an indefinite shelf life as long as it is kept in a dry environment.

Q. Is Oil Sponge the only product with a dedicated microbial package?
A. Other products claim have microbial packages or systems that enhance microbial activity, but only Oil Sponge physically adds an ATCC certified blend of hydrocarbon digesting microbes and an essential nutrient package.

Q. Will Oil Sponge and Oil Sponge+ absorb the same?
A. Yes, the bacteria package in the Oil Sponge+ does not increase or take away from the absorbency.

Q. What is the shelf life of the bacteria in Oil Sponge products?
A. This is a two-part answer. First, the bacteria package in all Oil Sponge products is guaranteed for a year, provided that it is unopened and not introduced to moisture or water. Second, if the bacteria are introduced to water or moisture it will become active, use up a readily available food source, then generally revert back to a status form or mortality may set in.

Q. What nutrients naturally occur in Oil Sponge?
A. Ammonium Sulphate is produced during the processing of the raw material. Ammonium sulphate is now the most widely used synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. It is manufactured in large quantities from ammonia(NH3), produced by the Haber process, and sulphuric acid (H2SO4), produced by the contact process. Conversion Formula 2NH3 + H2SO4→(NH4)2SO4.

Q. Do all bacteria degrade oils?
A. There are specific bacteria for degrading specific compounds.

Q. Why is Oil Sponge+ better than competing brands that claim to have bacteria in them?
A. Some products claim to have “indigenous bacteria” that remediate oils and fuels, but there are many types of bacteria for the many different types of compounds. Oil Sponge uses a blend of bacteria to effectively digest various compounds, where other competitors don’t even know what bacteria is present.

Q. Is Oil Sponge+ only for remediation?
A. No, it can be used as a general absorbent also.

Q. What happens to the bacteria after they digest the petroleum?
A. Typically the bacteria will revert to a dormant state or will die, causing no ill effect on the environment.

Q. What bacteria are contained in your Oil Sponge+ Absorbent and what do they break down?
A. Our proprietary blend is designed to degrade hydrocarbons, petroleum products, paraffin, naphthalene, petroleum products, phenolic compounds and naphthalene. The function of bacteria is to have the right blend that has an extreme attraction for the food source (the waste needed for remediation). In the case of the HC (hydrocarbon blend) the bacteria want to digest a petroleum based waste and will produce an enzyme that will break down the hydrocarbon chain small enough for the bacteria to digest. The bacteria will digest the smaller particles of petroleum of which the by product is water and carbon dioxide.

Q. Is the bacteria in Oil Sponge harmful to you in any way?
A. No, all Oil Sponge bacteria are Class 1, ATCC Certified bacteria (http://www.atcc.org/) and are non-carcinogenic, non-hazardous and non-mutating. All Phase III bacteria are produced by our technology partner, who owns and operates a leading microbial manufacturing fermentation facility in the United States which has developed proprietary technologies related to the bioremediation and enzyme industry.

Q. What do the bacteria produce after they digest a hydrocarbon?
A. Bacteria produce carbon dioxide gas and water. This same gas is what makes the small pockets in bread and pizza dough.

Q. I thought all bacteria were bad?
A. Hardly, bacteria occur naturally in our body and without them we would not be able to enjoy most of our favorite foods like, bread, pizza, beer, yogurt, cheese and the list goes on.

Q. Can you see the bacteria in the product?
A. Bacteria/microorganisms/active cultures are microscopic! Without a microscope they are impossible to see. Millions of bacteria may be present on the tip of a pin!

Q. How do I know they exist in the product?
A. Our products are tested regularly to make sure the bacteria is what we advertise and all finished products go through a QA/QC process prior to leaving our manufacturing plant.

Q. Who makes your Oil Sponge absorbent for you?
A. Phase III owns and operates an 18 acre manufacturing plant located in Casa Grande, Arizona, where we manufacture, distribute and ship from. Phase III owns all equipment and does not sub-contract out any work or have any products made for us.

Q. Does the microbial package in Oil Sponge UC+ Cleaner add to the cleaning ability?
A. Not initially, the cleaning packages in the Oil Sponge UC+ provide the initial soil removal from the surface, the benefit of the microbes is downstream after the initial cleaning. With regular usage of Oil Sponge UC+, the microbes will assist in reducing odor, increasing flow rate and reduced pumping of your drain line and sump systems.

Q. Can you bio-remediate acids?
A. Acids are harmful to bacteria and will kill them.

Q. Can the bacteria digest synthetic oils?
A. No, synthetic motor oils are not digestible by bacteria.

Q. Can bacteria digest heavy metals found in motor oil?
A. No, heavy metals are not digestible.

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