Used Oil and Its Effects On The Environment

Used Oil and Its Effects On The Environment

Motor oil leaked from individual vehicles—or outright dumped by homeowners and
commercial garages inevitably finds its way into local water bodies. Topsoil
and natural vegetation would ordinarily filter many of these pollutants out, but
the impermeable pavement that covers much of the surface where these pollutants
originate carries it right into storm drains and into streams, rivers, lakes and
the ocean where it can poison marine life—which we might eat—as well as entire
riparian or coastal ecosystems.

This pollution also finds its way into underground aquifers that supply our
drinking water, so reducing it is a human health measure and could also save
municipalities millions of dollars a year in drinking water treatment facilities
and operational expenses.

While government agencies try to craft and implement development and zoning
standards to help reduce storm water runoff problems caused by commercial and
industrial entities, there is still much that individuals can do to reduce their
impact as well. Indeed, upwards of 40 percent of oil pollution in the U.S. comes
from the improper disposal of used motor oil by individuals.

What is Used Oil? The Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of used oil
is as follows: Used oil is any oil that has been refined from crude oil or any
synthetic oil that has been used and as a result of such use is contaminated by
physical or chemical impurities. Simply put, used oil is exactly what its name
implies—any petroleum-based or synthetic oil that has been used. During normal
use, impurities such as dirt, metal scrapings, water, or chemicals can get mixed
in with the oil, so that in time the oil no longer performs well. Eventually,
this used oil must be replaced with virgin or re-refined oil to do the job at
hand EPA’s used oil management standards include a three-pronged approach to
determine if a substance meets the definition of used oil. To meet EPA’s
definition of used oil, a substance must meet each of the following three
criteria:

1. Origin — the first criterion for identifying used oil is based on the origin
of the oil. Used oil must have been refined from crude oil or made from
synthetic materials. Animal and vegetable oils are excluded from EPA’s
definition of used oil.

2. Use — the second criterion is based on whether and how the oil is used. Oils
used as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, buoyants, and for
other similar purposes are considered used oil. Unused oil such as bottom
clean-out waste from virgin fuel oil storage tanks or virgin fuel oil recovered
from a spill, do not meet EPA’s definition of used oil because these oils have
never been “used.” EPA’s definition also excludes products used as cleaning
agents or solely for their solvent properties, as well as certain
petroleum-derived products like antifreeze and kerosene.

3. Contaminants — the third criterion is based on whether or not the oil is
contaminated with either physical or chemical impurities. In other words, to
meet EPA’s definition, used oil must become contaminated as a result of being
used. This aspect of EPA’s definition includes residues and contaminants
generated from handling, storing, and processing used oil. Physical contaminants
could include metal shavings, sawdust, or dirt. Chemical contaminants could
include solvents, halogens, or saltwater.

How is Used Oil Recycled? Once oil has been used, it can be collected,
recycled, and used over and over again. An estimated 380 million gallons of used
oil are recycled each year. Recycled used oil can sometimes be used again for
the same job or can take on a completely different task. For example, used motor
oil can be re-refined and sold at the store as motor oil or processed for
furnace fuel oil. Aluminum rolling oils also can be filtered on site and used
over again.

Recycling Used Oil Is Good for the Environment and the Economy – Here’s Proof

•Re-refining used oil takes only about one-third the energy of refining crude
oil to lubricant quality.

•It takes 42 gallons of crude oil, but only one gallon of used oil, to produce 2
½ quarts of new, high-quality lubricating oil.

•One gallon of used oil processed for fuel contains about 140,000 British
Thermal Units (BTUs) of energy.

To prevent your own oil leaks and spills, take the following into consideration:

•Take steps to prevent leaks and spills. Keep machinery, equipment containers,
and tanks in good working condition and be careful when transferring used oil.
Have absorbent materials available on site.

•If a spill or leak occurs, stop the oil from flowing at the source. If a leak
from a container or tank can’t be stopped, put the oil in another holding
container or tank.

•Contain spilled oil. For example, containment can be accomplished by erecting
absorbent berms or by spreading an absorbent over the oil and

•Clean up the oil and recycle the used oil as you would have before it was
spilled. If recycling is not possible, you first must make sure the used oil is
not a hazardous waste and dispose of it appropriately. All used cleanup
materials, from rags to absorbent booms, that contain free-flowing used oil also
must be handled according to the used oil management standards. Remember, all
leaked and spilled oil collected during cleanup must be handled as used oil. If
you are a used oil handler, you should become familiar with these cleanup
methods. They may also be part of a spill response action plan.

•Remove, repair, or replace the defective tank or container immediately.

By taking care not to contribute to the problem of used oil being improperly
disposed of, you can help maintain our clean and healthy drinking water for
years to come.

Please Note... All links within articles are placed by their author-owners and not by this blog.Products with in those links may or may not be the best in the world.If it sounds too good to be true it could be a scam.Articles are posted for their info,ideas and or entertainment value only.

Powered By WP Footer

No related posts.