Are Harmful Pollutants Hiding in Your Waste Oils?

17 September 2013 by CSG

Waste oil comes in different forms and its chemical composition can vary significantly based on how the material was used during its operational life. Oils flexibility can however have drawbacks as many oils pick up various toxic heavy metals during their lifetime use. These can produce hazardous vapours if burned as fuel and particles of these metals can be released into the air.

Any waste oil that is not specified by the Environment Agency as safe to burn (such as heating oil & processed fuel oil) may therefore contain harmful chemicals including Arsenic, Chromium, Cadmium, Lead & PCB’s.

All waste oils should be treated with the utmost care and attention so as to lessen the risk to health. Therefore the removal and disposal of used oils should always be carried out by specialists that understand the material and its associated risks.