Oil Utilization
A Liter of Oil – Half a Hectare of Contaminated Soil
Information about the environmental hazards posed by oil waste and possibilities for managing such waste.
Oil waste is mineral, semi-synthetic, or synthetic lubricant or industrial oil that is no longer suitable for its primary purpose.
Prohibited actions with oil waste:
- mixing with other waste or materials;
- burning without proper permissions;
- pouring or releasing oil waste into surface and subsurface water bodies, drainage, and sewage systems, or onto the soil;
- transferring oil waste to individuals without the right to manage oil waste.
Environmental and health hazards of oil waste:
- oil waste may contain nearly a third of the elements from the periodic table: copper, zinc, heavy metals, chlorinated solvents;
- heavy metals can damage the nervous system and kidneys; some can cause cancer. The latter accumulate gradually in our bodies, so health problems may manifest after some time;
- improperly managed used oil can cause numerous environmental issues. One liter of oil can pollute a million liters of water and cover about 1 ha of water surface with a film! When oil mixes with water, an emulsion is formed, which easily damages the respiratory organs of aquatic animals. When it enters the soil, it can disrupt the supply of oxygen to plants and soil organisms.
Possibilities for managing oil waste:
- oil waste may contain nearly a third of the elements from the periodic table: copper, zinc, heavy metals, chlorinated solvents;
- heavy metals can damage the nervous system and kidneys; some can cause cancer. The latter accumulate gradually in our bodies, so health problems may manifest after some time;
- improperly managed used oil can cause numerous environmental issues. One liter of oil can pollute a million liters of water and cover about 1 ha of water surface with a film! When oil mixes with water, an emulsion is formed, which easily damages the respiratory organs of aquatic animals. When it enters the soil, it can disrupt the supply of oxygen to plants and soil organisms.