Posted by Paul on October 04, 2000 at 01:29:08:
In Reply to: USED OIL/ DANGERIOUS posted by M. MURRAY on October 03, 2000 at 14:10:09:
There should always be care taken with any petroleum based product. However, engine oils do not normally contain Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls. These break down into dioxin, which makes a dandy insecticide but is a long term contaminant which can cause cancer.
One problem with an older engine is if you pull the oil pan off. The Power Wagons all used leaded gas. The Tetra-ethyl-lead wouls work it's way past the rings and settle in the oil pan. If you've ever pulled one and seen a thick greyish sludge in the bottom, that is lead residue. It is extremel;y toxic and can contaminate a lot of stuff accidentally. It should be treated as a hazardous waste because it is.