The invention pertains to a method of passivating direct process solids (1) and to passivated and quenched compositions resulting from said method. The method of passivating direct process solids (1) according to the invention comprises combining direct process solids (1) with a passivating composition comprising clay (2), base (3), and water (4). The passivated composition of the invention comprises direct process solids (1) and a passivating composition comprising clay (2), base (3), and water (4). The quenched composition of the invention comprises the passivated composition, wherein the passivated composition has been held for a sufficient period of time for the reactive species from the direct process solids to be substantially quenched and/or oxidized.