WHAT IS BIOREMEDIATION?

Bioremediation is the use of biological agents such as microbes or plants to break down or neutralize “hazardous substances” or “contaminants” thereby removing dangerous chemicals in the environment. The process of bioremediation is listed as one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) innovative technologies.

HOW IS “BIOREMEDIATING” DIFFERENT FROM “BIODEGRADABLE”?

BIOREMEDIATION is the use of natural biological agents such as microbes to break down or neutralize “hazardous substances” or contaminants. FOR EXAMPLE: In the EcoSafe Washer Ozzy(s), natural biological agents or microbes, break down the carbon-based contaminants (grease and oil) and turn them into harmless carbon dioxide and water. BIODEGRADABLE means that a substance or mixture is subject to or could be broken down by biological agents into smaller compounds.

HOW DO I KNOW THE ECOSAFE WASHER IS SAFE TO USE?

The OzzyJuice degreasing solutions used in the EcoSafe Washer are non-hazardous, non-corrosive, pH neutral, non-flammable, non-toxic, non-caustic, aqueous-based degreasing solutions. They are not known to cause damage to humans or the environment. When used in accordance with directions they DO NOT create liquid hazardous wastes or produce cradle-to-grave liabilities.

WHO AND WHAT IS OZZY®?

Ozzy is the name we selected for the blend of nonpathogenic (harmless to humans) microbes in the EcoSafe Washer system. Our microbes, Ozzy and his friends, eat potentially harmful hydrocarbon wastes in the EcoSafe Washer and transform these wastes into very small quantities of carbon dioxide and water. Similar types of microbes have been used for many years in various bioremediation applications, such as oil spills, including the clean up after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March of 1989.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE GREASE, OIL AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN THE ECOSAFE WASHER?

Grease, oil and other contaminants are bioremediated in the EcoSafe Washer – transformed into harmless, non-hazardous by-products such as carbon dioxide and water. Particulate matter, such as sand, grit, dirt and paint chips are trapped in the OzzyMat to be disposed of properly.

HOW MUCH OIL CAN I PUT INTO THE ECOSAFE WASHER AT A TIME?

As with all parts cleaners, excessive greases, oils and fluids should be disposed of prior to washing parts. The EcoSafe Washer can handle large, tough, dirty jobs, but was not designed to be – nor should be treated as – a waste oil dump.

HOW QUICKLY CAN OZZY BREAK DOWN OIL AND GREASE?

Once activated, Ozzy and his friends are constantly eating. Assuming the system is operating optimally (OzzyJuice temperature between 108°F – 115°F and the OzzyMat routinely changed a minimum of once every 30 days) the rate at which the hydrocarbons can remediate can approach 80% every seven days. Analyses performed on samples of used OzzyJuice from operating EcoSafe Washers consistently show oil and grease levels in the 1,400 parts per million range. BY COMPARISON, used, non-bioremediating, aqueous cleaners can average over 20,000 parts per million of oil and grease.

HOW WELL DOES OZZYJUICE CLEAN?

OzzyJuice is extraordinarily powerful and cleans extremely well. OzzyJuice is a surfactant that breaks down the surface tension between the grease and the part rather than dissolving it; the grease actually lifts off the parts leaving behind clean surfaces. Note that while OzzyJuice cleans differently than dangerous solvents or mineral spirits, it cleans just as well.

WILL OZZYJUICE CLEAN CARBURETORS, TRANSMISSIONS, ALUMINUM, BRAKES AND ANYTHING ELSE IN MY SHOP?

YES. Not only is OzzyJuice effective on these parts, it will not damage non-metal components that may be attached to the parts being cleaned such as rubber or plastic fittings. As with all parts cleaners, some items are going to become cleaner at different rates than others due to the degree and type of grime encountered.

CAN I SOAK PARTS IN THE OZZYJUICE OR THE ECOSAFE WASHER?

Soaking parts in the EcoSafe Washer can cause oxidation (rusting) in some metals, particularly soft metals such as aluminum. After you have completed washing your part(s) in the EcoSafe Washer, and if they are not going to be reused right away, Alsco recommends re-lubricating metal parts or spraying with some type of metal protection to prevent oxidation from the environment.

WHAT COLOR SHOULD THE OZZYJUICE BE?

As the OzzyJuice is used to wash grease and oil from parts the color of the fluid will become dark. THIS IS NORMAL: while the OzzyJuice appears to be “dirty”, it has simply been dyed by the artificial colorings used in greases and oils.

WHY DOESN’T OZZYJUICE DAMAGE MY HANDS LIKE SOLVENTS?

OzzyJuice is a pH-neutral, non-caustic, water-based formula that will not dry, crack or irritate the skin. Solvents are caustic and pull fat cells from the skin, possibly causing extreme drying, redness, blisters, and other dermatological problems.

CAN I USE OZZYJUICE IN OTHER PARTS WASHERS?

We do not recommend that OzzyJuice be used in other parts washers. The OzzyJuice and the EcoSafe Washer were made to work together with variables such as specific temperatures, compensation for foam, and so on. Also remember, the Ozzy(s) microbes are in the OzzyMat and if the OzzyJuice is used in another machine it will not have the Ozzy(s) microbes to clean the fluid.

CAN I USE OTHER FLUIDS IN MY ECOSAFE WASHER?

The EcoSafe Washer parts washing system has been painstakingly developed to work effectively as a whole; EcoSafe Washer, OzzyJuice and OzzyMat. Other solutions may damage the machine or kill Ozzy, thereby eliminating the advantages of the EcoSafe Washer. The use of other solutions in the EcoSafe Washer will void the warranty.

WHY IS THE ECOSAFE WASHER HEATED?

Two reasons: First, it keeps Ozzy eating at an optimal level to clean the solution as quickly as possible. Secondly, warm solution simply cleans better than cold solution. An added benefit to warm solution: it makes it more enjoyable to work with, especially in winter.

CAN THE ECOSAFE WASHER OVERHEAT IF THE OZZYJUICE GETS LOW?

  1. The heater is automatically de-activated when the “Add Fluid” indicator light is illuminated. While the pump will continue to operate, the heater will not be reactivated until (1) entire 5 gallon box of OzzyJuice is added to the system and the “Add Fluid” indicator light is off.

Any other questions? Our friendly, informed staff would be happy to help. Contact us to find out more.