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ECAR Fact Sheet for Missouri
Brake Fluid

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
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:
- If you do not contaminate it with other fluids, and
- If you handle and store it properly, and recycle it
with your used oil.
This
fact sheet will tell you what you need to do to avoid problems with
fluids.
Regulations
Brake fluid is a mixture of polyglycol
and glycol ethers with additives. Since it is made from petroleum
and is used for hydraulic power transmission, it is defined as used
oil in Missouri. It can be combined with your used oil as long as it does not contain any
solvents, brake cleaners or carburetor cleaners. See ECAR Used Oil fact sheet. Remember, brake fluid contaminated with any of these materials
could cause your used oil to become hazardous. If your operation
still uses brake cleaners in aerosol cans, chances are they may
contain chlorinated solvents that are a hazardous waste.
For
management and disposal/recycle of contaminated brake fluid,
you must:
- Have a sample of the used fluid analyzed by a laboratory
to find out if it is hazardous. If it is non-hazardous, it can
be shipped off-site for disposal by a licensed hauler. If it is
hazardous, then special hazardous waste rules apply.
- Assume that the fluid is hazardous and manage and dispose/recycle
it as such. This approach avoids laboratory testing costs.
Links
to the Regulations. Use
the following links to view the regulations pertaining to hazardous
waste determinations and management.
Missouri Used
Oil Regulations
Federal
EPA Used Oil Management Requirement
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 used brake fluid management procedures.
- Is your brake fluid free from solvents, brake
cleaners or carb cleaners? If the brake fluid has not been contaminated with such
elements it can be recycled with your used oil.
- Used brake fluid is potentially a hazardous waste.
Verify
that contaminated brake fluid was properly managed and disposed/recycled
as hazardous waste or that a hazardous waste determination was
made that indicates it is a non-hazardous waste. If not contaminated,
brake fluids can be combined with your used oil.
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.
- Carefully drain brake fluid into drip pans, and
prevent spillage during emptying and transfer. Clean up spills
as soon as possible with proper absorbent. Take care not to mix
chlorinated cleaners or solvents with brake fluid or used oil.
- Manage brake fluid in a manner similar to used
oil.
- Collect uncontaminated brake fluid in your container
labeled "Used Oil."
- Recycle uncontaminated brake fluid as used oil.
- Identify a waste management company that will
recycle contaminated brake fluid.
- Don’t pour brake fluid down any drain or on the
ground.
- Don’t spray brake cleaner around brake fluid.
Contacts
- For
more information, contact the Missouri Hazardous Waste Program at 573-751-3176.
- To report a spill or leak, call the 573-634-2436.
- To
report an environmental incident or complaint, contact the nearest
regional
office.
Related
ECAR Fact Sheet
- Hazardous
Waste
- Used
Oil
Other
Relevant Resources
- Pollution Prevention During Vehicle Salvage
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