Dean Paige wrote:
>
> Malcolm Walker wrote:
> >
> > On Fri, 17 Oct 1997, Jim Barbuscia wrote:
> >
> > > Speaking of nasty chemicals...
> > > I just bought a 20 gal. parts washer from COSTCO and now am wondering
> > > what I should use in it for solvent?
> > > Any one using one of these? What are you using?
> >
> > 'Varsol', an Esso product, works well. I'm not sure about disposing it
> > though :-)
> >
> > -Malcolm
>
> Just about all of the chemical mixtures that have been used in hot or
> cold tanks are truly nasty and CAN NOT be disposed of legally by any
> means other than recycling or disposal as hazardous waste. And thats the
> mixtures in their unused state. Once they have been used you can add to
> the list of nastys heavy metals including, cadmium, chromium, lead,
> zinc, etc as well as grease and oil.
>
> Do yourself a favor and don't get involved with this. Arrests of private
> citizens have been made for using gunk and other engine cleaning
> compounds (also witches brews of priority pollutants) on their car
> engines and following "label directions" indicating disposal as "spray on
> rinse off". A major lawsuit against a degreaser manufacturer is in
> progress in CA as a result of a Fish and Game officer catching a citizen
> doing this with the rinseate going into a storm drain and thence directly
> into a creek. The citizen said. "I was just following directions" The
> court agreed and instead went after the manufacturer who is faceing
> possible fines of $25,000 dollars for each can of material sold with
> those directions. Caveat emptor.
>
> Some aqueous high pH solvents and citrus based degreasers are available
> for use in these applications but you're still left with a hazardous
> waste due to metals contamination. And before considering disposing of
> these materials in a "midnight dumping" manner ask yourself how your
> wives, children and neighbors will look at you when they learn YOU are
> the one responsioble for contamination of a drinking water well or other
> local water supply. The solvents used in these products are the main
> players in such contamination world wide.
>
> Best bet. Don't degrease at home! You're asking for trouble. Use your
> local machine shop after you've inquired into their disposal practices.
> Or, Use your local coin op car wash (no canned degreasers please) on the
> wheel (or engine) clean cycle first (uses alkaline degreasers) let soak a
> while and then use high pressure wash and rinse to blast away the
> loosened residue. These operations are usually plumbed to the sewer
> system and wastewater treatment facilities which can handle the high pH
> and grease and oils but are not designed to remove toxic organics (read
> solvent degreasers).
>
> As for antifreeze, the haz waste collections offered to homeowners in
> most US areas are a good place to start. Also look to local auto repair
> shops or parts suppliers who often provide for disposal at a reasonable
> fee. Don't ever just pour this stuff out on the ground (animals like it
> because it has a sweet odor and taste but as stated in other posts is
> deadly). Two of the zoo raised California Condors released into the wild
> in the last couple of years have died as a result of drinking from a
> puddle of antifreeze poured onto the ground.
>
> If no other options is available I reluctantly reccommend pouring it down
> your toilet except if you are on a septic tank (it will kill the useful
> bacteria in a septic system). At least then the antifreze will find its
> way to a wastewater treatment plant where it can be easily biodegraded by
> secondary treatment processes. This is not an option for commercial
> operations however where recycling on or off site is now the standard and
> where most jurisdictions prohibit such disposal by commercial
> enterprizes.
>
> I will happily provide further information to anyone interested.
>
> Deano
> Environmental Compliance Officer
> City of Santa Rosa
Good old Deano,
You said it all!!!!
Joe Curry
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