ECAR
Fact Sheet for Iowa
Antifreeze
Regulations
Self-Audit Checklist
Best Management Practices
Contacts
Related ECAR Fact Sheets
Other Relevant Resources
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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
Antifreeze
can pollute groundwater, surface water and drinking water supplies
if dumped, spilled or leaked, and is a serious health hazard to
humans or animals if ingested. While in an engine, antifreeze can
become contaminated with lead or fuel to the point where it must
be managed as a hazardous waste. There are two types of antifreeze:
Antifreeze with ethylene glycol, a greenish-yellow, odorless, sweet-tasting
chemical which poses a serious health hazard to humans and animals
if ingested, and antifreeze with propylene glycol which is less
toxic.
The
Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) has prepared a guidance document
to help the automotive industry manage antifreeze. Much of that
information is included in the fact sheet below. You can access
the link to IWRC’s Vehicle Maintenance Pollution Prevention Guide
under Other Relevant Resources.
Regulations
The
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 7 office administers
and enforces federal hazardous waste management requirements (40
CFR Parts 260-279) in Iowa. In addition, the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) has implemented state-specific hazardous
waste management requirements in connection with fees and used oil
collection centers.
Waste
Classification. Because antifreeze can become contaminated
either through use or during storage, it may be considered a hazardous waste. Each facility is responsible
for making a hazardous waste determination on its used antifreeze.
This determination is based on analytical test results of the used
antifreeze (i.e. test the residue or filter cartridge).
If
your used antifreeze is determined to be a hazardous waste, you
must manage it according to the hazardous waste rules. Listed below
are the proper management requirements or see the ECAR
Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet for more detailed information.
- Label all
containers in accordance with the hazardous waste rules. Remember
to clearly mark the words “WASTE ANTIFREEZE - HAZARDOUS WASTE.”
- Keep
storage containers closed to prevent evaporation and spills.
- Use
only permitted waste transporters that have obtained an EPA identification
number to transport drums of antifreeze off site.
- Keep
a copy of the test results and manifests for off-site disposal
in your files.
- Manage
the residue or filter cartridge as a hazardous waste.
Recycling.
Used antifreeze can be recycled,
but there are things to keep in mind. You may recycle your antifreeze
on-site by purchasing recycling equipment, contract with an on-site
mobile recycling service that recycles
antifreeze, or contract with a hauler that recycles the antifreeze
off-site.
If
recycling on-site, a hazardous waste determination must be made
and the waste must be managed accordingly. Remember, the filters
and sludge that are generated during the recycling process may be
hazardous wastes.
If
you contract with an outside company that recycles used antifreeze
off-site, that company will be responsible for the hazardous waste
generated during the recycling process. A list of recyclers
and transporters is listed below under “Other Relevant Resources.”
Spills. To report a spill or leak,
call the Iowa hotline at 515-281-8694 as soon as possible but not
later than 6 hours after the onset or discovery of the spill or
leak. If the release involves EPA-regulated material and the amount
released is above EPA reportable quantities, it must also be reported
to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 within 15 minutes.
Links
to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to used antifreeze
management.
Iowa Hazardous Waste
Fee Requirements
Federal
EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
Self-Audit
Checklist
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 antifreeze storage areas and management
procedures.
- Is used antifreeze stored in drums, tanks or
other containers that are in good condition? Open containers, and rusting
or leaking containers cannot be used for antifreeze storage.
- Are antifreeze storage containers and tanks properly
labeled? All waste antifreeze should be labeled “Waste Antifreeze Only,”
and antifreeze that can be recycled or reused, should be marked
“Usable Antifreeze Only.”
- Is the area around the used antifreeze storage
containers free of releases? Releases must be stopped; the released material cleaned
up and managed properly and reported to the DNR.
- Is used antifreeze transported to a recovery
facility by a certified transporter? Check your records and verify that all shipments
of used antifreeze were removed from your property by a certified
transporter.
- Is oil, solvent or other materials mixed with
used antifreeze?
Verify that there are separate, clearly labeled containers for
each type of material, and that used antifreeze is not mixed with
used oil, solvents and other materials.
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 used antifreeze storage areas and management
procedures.
- Use separate equipment for the collection of used antifreeze
(funnels, pads, storage containers).
- Drain antifreeze from radiators and heater cores as
soon as possible.
- Keep waste antifreeze free from cross-contamination
with other wastes, including used oil, fuels, degreasers or radiator
flush chemicals.
- Keep antifreeze storage containers closed at all times.
- Determine if the antifreeze is waste fluid or reusable
and can be recycled.
- Recycle by reuse, distillation, filtration or ion exchange.
Recycling can be done on-site or off-site by an antifreeze recycling
service.
- Wear eye protection, clothing that covers exposed skin
and rubber gloves when transferring antifreeze. Pour slowly and
carefully to avoid splashing.
- Consider keeping antifreeze in two separate, closed
containers: one for antifreeze that cannot be reused marked "Waste
Antifreeze," and one marked "Usable Antifreeze."
- Do not dispose of antifreeze down storm drains, in septic
tanks, dry wells or on bare ground.
- Keep any records relating to used antifreeze for at
least 3 years. This includes receipts for used antifreeze shipments
and any laboratory results.
Contacts
- For more information, contact the Region 7 Environmental
Protection Agency at 913-551-7020, or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at 515-281-8941.
- To
report a spill or leak, call the Iowa hotline at 515-281-8694
as soon as possible but not later than 6 hours after the onset
or discovery of the spill or leak. If the release involves EPA-regulated
material and the amount released is above EPA reportable quantities,
it must also be reported to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802
within 15 minutes.
- To report an environmental incident or complaint, contact
the Iowa DNR.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheets
- Hazardous Wastes
Other
Related Resources
- IWRC’s Vehicle Maintenance Pollution Prevention
Guide
- Automotive Products Disposal Directory
- Iowa – Antifreeze
Processors and Transporters
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