autxr (the chemist) vs antifreeze

[bagodoosh]

scott, i though tthis mite be an area you're familiar with:
how much of a hazar is (used) antifreeze and it what quantity?

say spilling 1-2 qt of 50% mix in the drain.

EDIT> to my understanding it contains ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, and could also contain fuel and metals such as lead , cadmium and chromium in high levels that it can be considered toxic. from what i read on the web it COULD be considered toxic. so they recommend handling it as such.

[t2000gts]

people used to dump that **** in drains and gutters all the time back in the day. i remember when i was little, my uncle changed his oil once over a gutter in queens. :wtf:

back on topic, i have no idea.

[bagodoosh]

even today there's an obsene amount of improper disposal. i'm all for recycling. i'm not sure how much of antifreeze can be considered bad. for example motor oil is very bad. there is no minimum safe quantity. a gallon of it can create an 8 acre slick on water; and it's pretty hard to seperate it. but antifreeze i'm not sure. i mean it can evaporate. it dilutes with water.. but man, my mom almost disowned me because i didn't calculate and ended up dumping some antifreeze in the street which i had to wash into the drain.

[Griffin]

Originally posted by bagodoosh
even today there's an obsene amount of improper disposal. i'm all for recycling. i'm not sure how much of antifreeze can be considered bad. for example motor oil is very bad. there is no minimum safe quantity. a gallon of it can create an 8 acre slick on water; and it's pretty hard to seperate it. but antifreeze i'm not sure. i mean it can evaporate. it dilutes with water.. but man, my mom almost disowned me because i didn't calculate and ended up dumping some antifreeze in the street which i had to wash into the drain.

Its hazardous only in reasonably large quantities / strength and if properly diluted its no problem at all. If just a little spilled out and you hosed it into the gutter there shouldn't be any problem. The main danger is usually children or pets drinking large quantities. Its sweet tasting so they tend to want to drink a lot. But small amounts (if you dip you finger in it and taste it) won't hurt you at all so its not that bad.

[bagodoosh]

phew! :thumbup:

[autxr]

If you spill it in the storm sewers it isn't ideal, but it will be diluted quite readily by the water. Not sure the biological effect.

If you put it down the household sewer drain, then it isn't really a big deal (my understanding), I've always heard that the bugs at the water treatment plant really like the glycols...

Scott

[t2000gts]

griffin, you sound like you've had a taste of the stuff. :wtf:

[Tryan77]

Anybody that has flushed/changed enough coolant has.

Yea it does taste sweet :)

[t2000gts]

Originally posted by Tryan77
Anybody that has flushed/changed enough coolant has.

Yea it does taste sweet :)

i have to change mine soon... :naughty: