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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. How can you tell if the brake fluid in your yard is hazardous? You can send a sample to a laboratory. That will cost you a testing fee. But if it is non-hazardous and you can document that fact, you can save the costs of managing it as a hazardous waste. You can also avoid the lab fee and simply assume it is hazardous. This fact sheet will tell you:
The U.S. Department of Transportation issues specifications for the three main kinds of brake fluid in use by the automotive and trucking industry: DOT-3, DOT-4 and DOT-5. DOT-3 and DOT-4 are glycol-based fluids and DOT-5 is silicon-based. Depending on the additives used, brake fluid may or may not be hazardous. Even if brake fluid started out as non-hazardous, it can become hazardous if it is contaminated with brake cleaner or other solvents. Brake fluid is not crude oil-based and should not be added to and managed with used oil. However, some companies that pick up used oil may allow small amounts of brake fluid to be mixed with used oil. Contact the company and ask them if they allow mixing of used oil and brake fluid. If they don’t, keep them in separate containers. Another company may have to be used to pick brake fluid. For management and disposal/recycle of used brake fluid, you have two choices:
Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to hazardous waste determinations and management. New Mexico’s Hazardous Waste Management Requirements Federal EPA 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.
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