It is important to know how to safely store oil at home. “Basically the first thing to do is proper containment and to make sure that you do not mix chemicals together,” said Laurence C. Boyer CNMI regional Manager of the Guam Refinery and Environmental Services Company
Make your home a safe place for all the members of the family by safely disposing oil at home. Below are instructions on how to carefully store used oil.
Put used oil in cork containers. Store it in a secure area, preferably indoors where water will not reach it or at least covered away from the rain.
If you put the used oil in a metal container make sure that its not rusty or located in an outside because what will happen is the water will sit on top and then it would rust. This will cause tiny rust holes and the water will seep into the container and push the oil out and eventually it will go to the ground.
Label or mark the container as ‘used oil’ so that everyone will know what is inside. Pick an area where children won’t be able to open the cans or containers and not spill the oil.
It is important to have secondary containment for the oil container, a precautionary measure in case the oil would spill. It has to at least have 110 percent the capacity of the original container. So if the oil will spill there will still be 10 percent left.
For bigger containers such as drums make sure that it is raised above the ground put it above a pallet, a portable platform. The pallet is to prevent corrosion or damage to the bottom of the drum.
Do not store used batteries with flammable materials such as oil. The battery might still have charge left and it is a remote possibility that it can cause fire.
Never mix oil with other non-petroleum products. It is ok to put together lube oil, automatic transmission fluid, anything that is petroleum.
Do not mix oil with coolant, break fluid, power steering fluid because it will react to the oil and cause chemical reaction that might be adverse.
Don’t let it sit for too long. The containers might deteriorate and this poses danger to the environment.
If concerned if the used oil has been mixed or contaminated a fuel test kit will help determine it. The chlorine halogen test kit assesses halogen levels. Halogen is a product of a chemical reaction in used oil and solvents. Halogen is a hazard to humans and the environment.
As soon as possible take the used oil to the Transfer Station at lower base or at GRESCO on Beach Road. Residents can also get a fuel test kit from the company. For more information, call 234 2000.
