Expert Customer Support

Our team is always ready to help

Fast & Free Delivery

Rapid delivery across the UK

5-Star Rated

Based on thousands of reviews

Trusted by UK's Best

Leading supplier to UK's biggest brands

AdBlue: Its Risks to Health and the Environment

by Richard O'Connor

Aug 04, 2023 | *4 minutes to read

In an era where environmental responsibility and sustainable practices take centre stage, understanding the various components of these efforts is paramount. One such component, extensively used in the automotive industry, is AdBlue. While it significantly reduces harmful emissions, there are crucial factors to consider about its use, specifically its effects on health and the environment. In this comprehensive exploration, we'll delve into the intricacies of AdBlue, demystify its uses, discuss its potential hazards, and elaborate on effective spill containment practices, referring to UK legislation and insights from industry expert Richard O'Connor, Technical Director at First Mats.

What is AdBlue, and What is it Used For?

AdBlue is a solution comprised of high-purity, synthetically produced urea (32.5%) dissolved in deionised water (67.5%). This non-toxic, colourless, odourless liquid is used extensively in the automotive industry, specifically within diesel-powered vehicles. As part of the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, AdBlue helps reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which significantly contribute to air pollution.

AdBlue Filling Pump

Richard O'Connor, Technical Director at First Mats, explains, "AdBlue is instrumental in our fight against air pollution. When injected into the exhaust system, it breaks down dangerous NOx emissions into harmless nitrogen and water, drastically reducing the environmental footprint of diesel vehicles."

The widespread use of AdBlue across the UK and Europe aligns with the European emission standards, including Euro 6, which mandate stringent limits on exhaust emissions.

Are AdBlue Spillages Hazardous to Humans?

While AdBlue is not classified as a hazardous substance for transport or health under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation in the UK, it is not completely devoid of risks. If in contact with the skin or eyes, AdBlue can cause irritation. Ingesting it is harmful and can lead to serious health complications.

"Although AdBlue is generally safe, accidents can occur. It's crucial to avoid direct contact, and immediate medical attention is required in case of accidental exposure," says Richard O'Connor. Employers are also obligated under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place to protect workers from harmful exposure.

Can AdBlue Spills Harm The Environment?

Despite its role in reducing air pollution, AdBlue spills can have negative environmental impacts. Due to its high ammonia content, AdBlue is classified as an environmental hazard under some regulation guidelines.

An AdBlue spill can lead to eutrophication, where water bodies receive excess nutrients, leading to dense plant growth and, subsequently, the death of marine life due to oxygen depletion. Therefore, it's imperative that spills are prevented and, if they occur, properly managed to mitigate environmental harm.

How to Contain AdBlue Spills

Accidental AdBlue spills should be addressed immediately using suitable containment and clean-up procedures. The best practice involves having a spill response plan in place, which should align with the UK's Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001.

Richard O'Connor emphasises using specialised equipment, such as AdBlue spill kits, to contain and clean up spills effectively. "AdBlue spill kits are designed specifically for the job. They usually contain absorbent socks, pads, disposable bags and gloves. Having these kits on-site can make a significant difference in minimising the environmental impact of a spill."

While AdBlue is critical in reducing harmful emissions from diesel vehicles, it's important to handle it responsibly. Understanding its potential health and environmental impacts and having the appropriate response strategies in place, such as AdBlue spill kits, can make all the difference.

Conclusion

The key to sustainable growth is balance. AdBlue, while a boon in our endeavour to curb harmful emissions from diesel engines, is not without its potential risks. Understanding that every component of our environmental solutions requires responsible usage and handling is crucial.

By adhering to regulations, being informed about potential hazards, and being prepared with effective spill containment solutions like AdBlue spill kits, we can strive towards a future of cleaner transportation, healthier living, and sustained environmental well-being. As we continue to evolve our practices and technologies, we must ensure that our progress is not just technologically advanced but also safe and responsible for humans and our environment.

Explore More Topics

Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

5 Benefits of Using Cable Protectors

Cable protectors are a great way to ensure your cables stay safe and in place. They can be used for many everyday purposes, such as preventing tripping hazards, covering unsightly wires...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with the Right Doormat

Have you ever walked up to a house and immediately felt like this is a house you want to own, even before even stepping inside? That first impression is...

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

The Versatility of Floor Mats: More Than Just the Front Door

When most people think of floor mats, the front door is the first place that comes to mind. While it’s true that entrance mats are essential...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

Ergonomic Workstations: Things You Need to Know When Setting One Up

Creating an ergonomic workstation is essential for maintaining employee well-being, increasing productivity, and improving staff retention. Poorly designed workstations can lead to discomfort, musculoskeletal issues, and decreased efficiency. This guide...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

How to Protect Your Hardwood Floors Using Entrance Mats

Hardwood floors add warmth and elegance to any home, but keeping them looking pristine requires careful maintenance. One of the biggest threats to hardwood flooring is the dirt and grime...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

The Different Textures of Entrance Matting and Their Benefits

Entrance mats may seem like a simple addition to your home or business, but not all mats are the same. A mat's texture is crucial in how well it...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

What Vegans Need to Know About Door Mats

This article has been written by our Director, Richard O’Connor, who has been exploring how well door mats can align with vegan values. As a vegetarian making more vegan choices...

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

6 Tips for using a Standing Desk Correctly

As people are becoming more aware of their fitness levels and ways in which they can stay healthy, standing desks have increased in popularity because those who have previously had...

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

5 Creative Ways to Use Your Logo on Products to Boost Brand Awareness

Businesses today compete for attention across countless platforms. Customers have more choices than ever, so brand loyalty is becoming harder to secure. In this landscape, a brand’s image needs to...

Read More
Buying Guides
*6 minutes to read

The Different Surfaces of Anti-Fatigue Matting Explained

Understanding the different surface textures of anti-fatigue matting is essential for selecting the right one for your workspace. Anti-fatigue mats come in various textures, each designed to provide specific benefits...

Read More
Buying Guides
*7 minutes to read

Industrial Matting Fact Sheet

Introduction Industrial matting plays a crucial role in maintaining safety, comfort, and efficiency in various work environments. This fact sheet provides essential information about the different types of industrial mats,...

Read More
Buying Guides
*7 minutes to read

How to keep warm at work: Cost-effective ways to beat the bills

Are you concerned about your business running costs now that energy prices have gone through the roof? Electricity prices have increased 74% for large industrial units in the past...

Read More
Buying Guides
*8 minutes to read

The Cost of Slips, Trips, and Falls to British Industry

The Cost of Slips, Trips, and Falls to British Industry Are slips, trips, and falls costing your business dearly? Is your workforce underperforming? Are you missing expertise on the floor...

Read More
Buying Guides
*6 minutes to read

4-Day Work Week in the UK - Key Facts & Statistics

The world of work has seen a lot of change since the beginning of the 2020s, and — in turn — many companies have placed employee well-being at the top...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

From Nut to Mat - How Coir Matting is Made

Door mats might not stand out as being the most obvious product to boast an interesting manufacturing history, but the truth of the matter is that coir...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

A Quick Guide to Storing Small Chemical Products Safely

Introduction This blog post provides a simplified guide to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) document titled 'Storing Chemical SR24 Products (small scale)'....

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

Executive Summary of HSE Work-Related MSDs Statistics

Executive Summary: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Statistics in Great Britain This article provides a comprehensive summary of the key findings from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report on work-related musculoskeletal...

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

Executive Summary of HSE Work-Related Fatal Injuries Statistics

Executive Summary of HSE Work-Related Fatal Injuries Statistics This article is compiled by First Mats and provides an executive summary of the

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

The Costs to Britain of Workplace Accidents, Injuries and Ill-Health: HSE Report Summary

An Executive Summary of the HSE Report: Costs to Britain of Workplace Fatalities and Self-reported Injuries and Ill Health Published in November 2023, this report presents the latest estimates of...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

Summary of HSE Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Statistics 2022

Executive Summary of HSE Report 2022: Key Findings on Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders This blog post provides a summary of the key findings from the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) report...

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

The Environmental Impact of Generator Spills and How to Mitigate Them

Generators, while vital in modern life for a variety of applications, come with certain environmental risks. When not managed properly, spills from these machines can have devastating effects on our...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

How to Prevent and Clean Oil Spills in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide

Workplace oil spills are more than just an inconvenient mess; they present serious risks to employee safety and the environment. Several pieces of legislation in the UK, such as the...

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

AdBlue: Its Risks to Health and the Environment

In an era where environmental responsibility and sustainable practices take centre stage, understanding the various components of these efforts is paramount. One such component, extensively used in the automotive industry,...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

The Best Colour Door Mats for People With Dementia

Dementia is a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning, affecting memory, thinking speed, language, understanding, judgement, mood, and movement. It impacts more than 850,000 people in the...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

Tips for Moving Plasterboard Safely and Efficiently

Plasterboard, also known as drywall, is a common material used in construction and renovation projects. While it's a versatile and useful material, moving plasterboard can be challenging due to its...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

Understanding UDL: Uniformally Distributed Load

What Does UDL Mean? UDL, or Uniformally Distributed Load, is a term used in the field of manual handling equipment to describe the weight capacity of a particular piece of...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

Bund Integrity Testing - What You Need to Know

As a responsible business owner, protecting your assets should be one of your top priorities. One approach to securing your assets is using portable bunding solutions, such as

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

The Complete Guide to Foam Impact Protectors: Enhancing Workplace Safety

Impact Protection Foam is a vital component in industrial environments, serving as a crucial safeguard against injuries caused by impacts with hard surfaces. Designed with a...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

Rising Stress Levels in the UK and the Impact on Workers - Facts and Statistics

A recent study conducted by First Mats has highlighted the growing issue of stress among the UK population. Our survey of over 1,000 UK adults found that more...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

Mats for Wudu / Ablution Areas in Mosques

Here at First Mats, we have an extensive selection of wet room matting ideal for Wudu/ Ablution areas in Mosques and other spiritual sites. The outstanding water drainage, anti-slip...

Read More
Buying Guides
*2 minutes to read

The Most Unsafe Places to Work in Britain (2023)

The Health and Safety Executive releases updated figures on workplace injuries and fatalities annually, and its latest report has...

Read More
Buying Guides
*7 minutes to read

Workplace Safety Facts and Statistics

Workplace-related injury is shockingly high in the UK. And statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that thousands of UK workers are injured or killed on the...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

A Simple Guide to ISO 14001 Certification

ISO 14001 certification is a globally recognised standard for implementing an effective environmental management system. It is designed to help organisations reduce their environmental impact, manage resources more efficiently, and...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

How to Remove The Smell from Rubber Mats

Rubber mats are versatile and extremely useful in various applications, from gyms to warehouses to garage floors. They are naturally durable, flexible and have a long lifespan. However, amongst all...

Read More
Buying Guides
*8 minutes to read

Flyball - The Everything Guide

Are you looking for a new activity to enjoy with your dog? Perhaps you want to help socialise your pup while providing excellent exercise that stimulates their brain, agility, and...

Read More
Buying Guides
*6 minutes to read

How to Charge Your Electric Car if You Don’t Have a Driveway

Are you considering buying an electric car, van, or moped? If you have your own driveway, it’s easy to charge your EV — but what happens if you don’t? How...

Read More
Buying Guides
*7 minutes to read

The Importance of Doormats & How They Can Save You Money

Most of us are considering how we can save money around the home right now. But for business owners, cost-cutting has become essential to sustaining a long-term business.  And while...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

How to Deal with Wet Floors in Warehouses

Did you know that slips and falls are the most significant cause of non-fatal injuries in UK workplaces? And what’s most frustrating is that most of...

Read More
Buying Guides
*6 minutes to read

Fire Safety Facts and Statistics UK

Fire safety is one of the cornerstones of health and safety – fires are among the most devastating accidents that can happen in the home or the workplace, both in...

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

The Best Anti-Fatigue Mats by Job Role

Anti-fatigue mats are one of the best, most cost-effective ways of improving health and safety at your premises and boosting employee productivity and engagement. There are many different available, so...

Read More
Buying Guides
*4 minutes to read

Rubber Sheet Types and Applications

Rubber sheets are used in a broad spectrum of different industries, for an equally broad range of reasons. From gaskets and seals to shock absorption and anti-vibration padding, rubber is...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

The Best Matting for Kennel Flooring

The flooring you choose for your kennel will have a big impact on how much time you have to spend on cleaning and maintenance, how often you have to replace...

Read More
Buying Guides
*8 minutes to read

Manual Handling Equipment Types

Manual handling injuries are one of the most common types of injury in the United Kingdom workplace, accounting for thousands of incidents every single year. As well as the legal (and...

Read More
Buying Guides
*3 minutes to read

What does Shore A Hardness Mean?

Shore hardness scales are the way in which different materials are measured for their hardness – it allows people to accurately compare the relative hardness of different items, much as...

Read More
Buying Guides
*5 minutes to read

Guide to COSHH Symbols

Working in an industry that handles chemicals or hazardous substances means that you have most likely come across the term COSHH, as it is most commonly seen on the labels...

Read More
Buying Guides
*9 minutes to read

Complete Guide to Sack Trucks

Sack trucks have always been invaluable both in the workplace and in everyday life. They can come in extremely useful when moving large loads in warehouses and delivering parcels, as...

Read More
Buying Guides
*11 minutes to read

Spill Control: The Complete Guide

Spill control is, or should be, a strong focus of any industrial site’s health, safety, and environmental policies. Whether you’re new to the world of spill control or need updating on...

Read More
Buying Guides
*12 minutes to read

Hazardous Storage Guide

Wherever chemicals are stored, there is a risk of fire, chemical reactions, and pressure build-up. For this reason, it is imperative to store chemicals and other hazardous liquids with great...

Read More
Buying Guides
*8 minutes to read

10 Most Dangerous Places to Work in the UK

We’ve analysed the latest data provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to uncover some of the UK’s most dangerous regions to work in.  Our report is based on workplace injuries...

Read More
Buying Guides
*6 minutes to read

How to Stop Rugs Moving on Carpet

Laying down a nice rug or two is a great way to add style and sophistication to your home. The great news is there are many choices nowadays, whether you...

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, we’re here to help

How long does delivery take?

Each product comes with a specified lead time for delivery. We'll keep you informed if there are any delays in meeting this timeline.

Typically, once you’ve finalised your order and approved the proof, it will take 4-5 business days to make and deliver your finished mat.

If my order is damaged, can I return or exchange it?

Got a problem with your order? If something's not right or you're not thrilled with the quality, just let us know within 14 days of getting it. Drop us a line, and we'll tell you what to do next—usually, it starts with you sending us a photo of the issue. Once we check that out, we'll sort you out with a refund or a new item, no fuss.

Can I get my mat delivered more quickly?

Need your item in a hurry? Just Contact us to explore the faster delivery options we might have for you!

If my custom mat is damaged, can I return or exchange it?

Got a problem with your order? If something's not right or you're not thrilled with the quality, just let us know within 14 days of getting it. Drop us a line, and we'll tell you what to do next—usually, it starts with you sending us a photo of the issue. Once we check that out, we'll sort you out with a refund or a new item, no fuss.

Expert Customer Support

Our team is always ready to help

Fast & Free Delivery

Rapid delivery across the UK

5-Star Rated

Based on thousands of reviews

Trusted by UK's Best

Leading supplier to UK's biggest brands