Absorbents do NOT retain the properties of the absorbed hazardous liquid.

The statement is false because absorbents do retain certain properties of the hazardous liquid they have absorbed. When absorbents interact with hazardous substances, they can hold onto the chemical characteristics in order to effectively immobilize and contain the substances. This retention is critical for safety during cleanup operations, as it means that the absorbed materials can still pose a risk if not handled properly.

For example, if an absorbent material is used to soak up an oil spill, the oil will remain trapped in the absorbent substrate, and its characteristics—such as toxicity, flammability, or reactivity—can still be present in that absorbent. Therefore, when disposing of or later handling these materials, individuals must treat them as hazardous waste due to the retained properties of the original substance.

In this context, knowing that absorbents retain properties of absorbed hazardous liquids underlines the importance of proper disposal and safety measures during cleanup processes to minimize any potential risks associated with the contained hazardous materials.