Q&A
USED OIL
By George Kayser SWUPHD Environmental Health Scientist
A
bout 1.35 billion gallons of used oil are generated in the United States annually. Used oil includes used engine oil, hydraulic oil, and transmission fluid used in millions of cars and machines in Utah alone. With use over time, oil loses some of its original properties, which is why it needs to be replaced. Used oil is actually far from useless and can be re-refined, recycled, and reused in many ways. Although used oil is not managed as a ‘hazardous waste’ under the Utah Administrative Code, it can have harmful effects on the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 50% of Americans change their own oil on their vehicles, but only about 35% of that oil is recycled correctly, leaving around 2 million gallons of used oil improperly disposed of. Since 1993, it has been unlawful in Utah to dump used oil in landfills, rivers, lakes, sewers, and storm
drains or to use oil as a weed or dust suppressant. Unlawfully and improperly disposing of used oil in any way poses dangers to the environment and is difficult and costly to clean up. Our precious water supply could easily be contaminated by used oil. Putting used oil down the drain causes a massive strain on water treatment facilities and sewer systems, costing significant amounts of time and money to fix. Just one gallon of used oil can potentially contaminate 1 million gallons of freshwater, rendering it unsafe to drink. One way to ensure that used oil is correctly handled and recycled is through Used Oil Collection Centers (UOCCs), which follow Utah rules and laws regarding safe procedures for dealing with used oil. A UOCC can accept up to 5 gallons of used oil from a single person, and some UOCCs accept used oil filters as well. Many local auto parts dealers
HEALTH MAGAZINE | WINTER 2022
