Sisu said:Yes you are true in regard to many of the uses and misuses. However, in most cases used oil is refined before re-use. It is also contained in a medium (eg. asphalt). But yes, things like asphalt and blacktop are not 100 percent benign. Waste oil accepted at my landfill is not dumped. Brownfields are associated with past mismanagement not current landfill use.shamelessLEE said:Sisu said:shamelessLEE said:EPA does not consider it hazardous waste.Sisu said:Is chain oil really that expensive? Also, chain oil comes in various viscosities based on the season. There are many reasons why used motor oil is considered hazardous waste. I send it for recycling, rather than reusing it as chain oil. That means that I am not exposing myself/family to the used oil carcinogens etc. and I am not polluting the bush with it. As woodburners, we should all strive to be good stewards of the forest.
IF there were carcinogens in the oil , it's already in the air from being in your engine.
Exhaust = in the air.
It is all about managing risk. There are voluntary and involuntary risks. There are things we are exposed to everyday that we have no control over. Yes there are potential carcinogens coming out of my chainsaw and auto exhaust. That is something that I have no real control over (unless I went old-school using a swede saw and horse). However, I can make a choice as to what I use for chain oil. Why would I want to add to my exposure.
There are many contaminants contained in waste oil that are not coming out of your engine exhaust. In Canada, waste used oil is not allowed to be dumped in regular household waste. If I change my own oil, I have to dispose of it as "household hazardous waste" which is collected and sent for recycling. I am sure it is similar in the US. According to the EPA, the amount in one oil change can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water. You might not be cutting near a watercourse, but rain/snow melt runoff can carry it to surfacewater and even groundwater.
What do you think blacktop is made from?
How about tar and chip for dirt roads? The cheapest oil on the market = used oil.
Waste oil is accepted at landfills. Where do you think contaminated soil from brownfields goes.
Ever been to a scrap yard? Literally hundreds of gallons of used oil all over the ground daily.
How about your local Pull-a-Part junk yard. Waste oil everywhere.
What about the oil/sludge from car washes? It just goes to a sewer plant.
The heavy metal theory is bunk. Most engine wear occurs on the exhaust side of the cylinder. There's more in the air already than ever could be contained in the oil.
So if a scrap yard is breaking the law and contaminating the environment, does that allow us to do the same? It all goes back to voluntary and involuntary risk. We have a choice not to use waste motor oil. Why compound the problems with something we have a choice not to do.
Also, oil and sludge from a car wash is passed through a oil/sludge separator at the car wash, prior to being sent to the wastewater treatment plant. This is collected and sent for proper recycling/disposal. Washing your car in your driveway is frowned upon or forbidden through municipal by-laws, since the wash water ends up in surface water via storm sewers (if you live in a town or city).
The contamination of heavy metals in used motor oil is neither a theory or bunk. Do you have any peer-reviewed studies that verify your assertion? Heavy metals in waste motor oil is fact. If in doubt, read the countless studies or take your used motor oil to the nearest certified lab and have a metal analysis done.
Re-read my post Sisu Simon!
Never said HM's weren't in waste oil.
Risk management and living in a glass house don't work.
Any of your engines leak oil in the drive?
Ever use WD or PB blaster to wrench on something.
Ever oil your bike chain?
What kind of laundry detergent do you use?
Do you use hair gel?
Wife use hairspray?