Publication Summary

Waste antifreeze was tested at six sites (3 generators and 3 recyclers) in Washington between February and March 1991. Samples were collected in both eastern and western Washington and encompassed a broad variety of vehicle types. Analyses included: metals, semi-volatiles, and volatile organic compounds using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP); halogenated hydrocarbons; percent ethylene glycol; and two acute toxicity tests (static acute salmonid bioassay and acute oral rat bioassay).

Waste antifreeze was tested at six sites (3 generators and 3 recyclers) in Washington between February and March 1991. Samples were collected in both eastern and western Washington and encompassed a broad variety of vehicle types. Analyses included: metals, semi-volatiles, and volatile organic compounds using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP); halogenated hydrocarbons; percent ethylene glycol; and two acute toxicity tests (static acute salmonid bioassay and acute oral rat bioassay).

Barium and lead were detected at low levels in the recycler samples. Barium was the only metal detected in the generator samples. Benzene was found at levels exceeding the TCLP regulatory limit at one of the generator sites and was present at non-regulated levels in two of the three recycler samples. Tetrachloroethylene exceeded the TCLP regulatory limit in two of the recycler samples. Halogenated hydrocarbons were present at concentrations below the threshold in all samples. Bioassay results indicated that waste antifreeze was not acutely toxic to salmonids or rats. The mean concentration of ethylene glycol was 37% by volume. High levels of tetrachloroethylene found in some of the recycler samples suggests that generators are not adequately segregating their waste-streams.