Acids are not generally found in the automotive shop except in batteries and metal finishing of crankshaft surfaces. They may be found in some cleaning processes.
Sewerage and water pipes and building foundations will also be corroded
and destroyed by the sulphuric acids
Acids are very damaging to the environment. As liquids, they make there way into water supplies with repercussions to plants and animals.
Acid can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes.
Always use safety goggles and gloves if acid must be handled.
The presence of other substances within an acidic mixture solution may
cause the solution to be carcinogenic and very toxic.
These solutions must be handled as hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations.
Most automotive batteries are “maintenance free” and are filled with electrolyte at the place of manufacturer. This has eliminated the need for acid to be stored on-site. By using only these types of batteries the storage of sulphuric acid is no longer needed.
Return all batteries to the local battery supplier.
Acids are usually very concentrated and require very large amounts of water to dilute. Neutralizing acids with a base is a way to manage the effects of acids but presents a problem of disposing the final mixture. The best way to manage acids is to dispose of them according to local, state, and federal regulations.
Some shops use hot tanks for cleaning greasy parts. These tanks contain a
caustic (alkaline) solution with a pH greater than 7, which is heated to
increase its efficiency in loosening the grip of oil and grease on surfaces. Hot
tanks are very effective in cleaning oily or greasy parts, do not rely upon
solvents, and do not require frequent service. However, there is a drawback to
their use: when the hot tank solution is changed, the used solution and sludge
from the tanks typically become hazardous wastes because of their corrosivity
and heavy metal content.
Alkaline solutions are very damaging to the environment. As liquids, they make there way into water supplies with repercussions to plants and animals.
Alkaline solutions can
cause severe burns to the skin and eyes. Always
use safety goggles and gloves if acid must be handled.
The presence of other substances within an alkaline mixture solution may cause the solution to be carcinogenic and very
toxic.
These solutions must be handled as hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations.
If your shop makes relatively heavy use of a hot tank, you might consider one of the alternative parts cleaner technologies that are now available for medium- and large-volume applications. Cleaning systems are available that use water-based (aqueous) cleaning solutions, as are systems that use steam. Both types of system generate considerably less waste liquid than a hot tank.
No specific information
available. Treat alkaline
solutions as hazardous waste.
DO
DO NOT