|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Regulations BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR The following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the review process here. Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you. What You Need to Know Brake fluids are not inherently hazardous, but if they contain certain additives, or if they have become contaminated with brake cleaner or other solvents, they can fall under the hazardous waste rules. You can avoid the burden of treating brake fluid as a hazardous waste:
This fact sheet will tell you what you need to do to avoid problems with fluids. *Minnesota follows the federal rules for managing mixtures of used oil and hazardous waste, with two exceptions. First, the state's used oil rules do not include the federal provision that allows mixtures of used oil and hazardous waste that is hazardous solely because it exhibits the characteristic of ignitability to be managed as a used oil. In Minnesota, any mixture that exhibits a hazardous waste characteristic is regulated as a hazardous waste unless the mixture is that of used oil and a very small quantity generator's (VSQG) hazardous waste. Used Brake fluid often contains additives and may be contaminated with solvents (e.g., brake cleaner). When used brake fluid is disposed of, these contaminants may cause the fluid to be considered a hazardous waste and you must follow the rules on management and disposal of hazardous waste (see Hazardous Waste fact sheet). However, EPA does not consider used brake fluid to be a hazardous waste when it is combined with used oil and recycled or burned as fuel, even if it has hazardous characteristics. Instead the recycled used brake fluid should be treated as used oil and managed under the used oil regulations. EPA Memorandum regarding used brake fluid and other automotive fluids. Minnesota Standards for Used Oil Generators Standards for the Management of Used Oil (Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 279) Part 261 - Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste\ Part 262 - Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things he or she checks to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform a "self-audit" and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit Policy Page). Use the following list to audit your used brake fluid management procedures.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) Most regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but they don’t explain how to do it. That’s where "best management practices" come into play. BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and stay there. The following BMPs are recommended for brake fluid storage areas and management procedures.
For more information, contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Regional Office closest to you:
*Report petroleum and fuel spills of five or more gallons, and any other chemical spill (including lead-acid batteries) which may cause pollution, to the State Duty Officer at 651-649-5451 or 1-800-422-0798.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
