In general, there are only two kinds of absorbents: universal and oil only. Color-coded absorbents are usually found in absorbent kits, as designating absorbents with a specific color can help people be aware of which kits to use for a particular hazard. There is no legislation or standard that specifies which color should be used for an absorbent of a particular hazard, but in general, most absorbent brands use the following color coding:
- Gray and Blue - universal
- White - Oil only
- Pink - Chemicals or haz-mat