Abrasives covered by this specification are intended primarily for use in the dry, enclosed blast or unconfined blast cleaning of ship's hulls, tanks and components prior to painting. When these products are used in dry unconfined blast cleaning operations, local environmental and health regulations must be followed. These materials also address Navy corrosion control and worker safety and health requirements.

Inorganic materials are not classified as hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) toxicity test or by the State of California's Waste Extraction Test and may be disposed of as conventional waste unless they are contaminated as part of the abrasive blasting operation. Recycling techniques or other methods can be used to restore the abrasive material to be used again or disposed of so long as the recycled materials meet the requirements of this document.