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Guide for Used Oil Burner Operators
It is estimated that more than 60% of the used oil generated in the Yukon is recovered through burning in approved furnaces. Given the absence of a recycling facility for these lubricants, these furnaces provide a cost-effective disposal option for Yukon used oil, but only when they are operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and in accordance with the Special Waste Regulations and a Special Waste Permit.
Approvals and Permits
Any used oil burner that is operated in the Yukon must be approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Underwriters Laboratory (UL), the Underwriters Laboratory Canada (ULC), or by the YTG Protective Services Branch.
If an operator of a used oil burner accepts used oil from other generators, then he or she will require a Special Waste Facility Permit. If the operator burns only used oil generated at his or her own facility, then the operator will require a Special Waste Disposal Permit. The Environmental Programs Branch issues these permits free of cost.
Mixing Wastes and Contaminants in Used Oil
It is illegal and can be dangerous to mix special wastes with used oil that will be burned in a furnace. When aqueous substances like antifreeze are mixed with the furnace's feedstock, they can clog up the jets in the burner and repairs can be costly. When mixed with used oil fuel, solvents and other flammable liquids increase the flashpoint of the fuel. This may result in a fire or explosion hazard, and this practice can void your fire insurance. Burning brake fluid or chlorinated solvents like methyl-ethyl ketone results in the production of hydrochloric acid, which in turn can corrode parts of the furnace and cause acid rain. When released to the atmosphere, chlorine from brake fluid and some solvents can deplete the ozone layer. Burning any substance other than oil in an oil furnace may void the manufacturer's warranty.
The Environmental Programs Branch has a policy that disallows burning of used oil that contains specific contaminants in excess of allowable levels. Burning oil containing these contaminants results in their release to the environment. These contaminants have been proven to be harmful to the health of both humans and the environment. For this reason, the Branch requires that every burner operator have their used oil tested annually to ensure that arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and total organic halogens do not occur in levels that are unsafe. Used oil analysis may seem costly, but when you compare the cost of regular heating fuel, analysis costs are relatively low. Operators can avoid contaminating used oil by not accepting used aircraft engine oil, not mixing special wastes, educating staff who deal with oil and/or the burner, and by accepting used oil only from trusted sources.
The following table summarizes the contaminants of concern that may be found in used oil:
Contaminant Name |
Possible Sources |
Human Health Risks |
Environment and Other Risks |
Allowable Level (ppm) |
arsenic |
engine wear |
poisonous, carcinogenic, tumor causing, fumes toxic when heated |
plant and soil impacts, carcinogenic to animals |
5.6 |
cadmium |
cadmium can be used to coat bolts which wear with engine use and contaminate oil |
suspected carcinogen, can be toxic |
reduced plant growth/reproduction, toxic to some animals |
2.2 |
chromium |
engine wear, chromium is used to plate some piston rings, hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) is most commonly used in engines |
Cr+6 may cause skin ulcers, irritation of respiratory tract, fibrosis of lungs and various forms of cancer |
cancer in animals, root and foliar damage to plants, mortality to aquatic fauna |
11.2 |
lead |
trace amounts are inherent in virgin oil, leaded gasoline, contamination from piston engine aircraft oil |
lead is easily stored in organic matter, so it can be magnified up to food chain to humans and result in poisoning; early exposure to infants and unborn fetuses can result in developmental problems |
root and foliar damage in plants, muscular atrophy, paralysis, internal lesions in waterfowl, liver, kidney and spleen impairment in mammals |
56 |
organic halogens (chlorine) |
inherent, contamination from addition of brake fluid, chlorinated solvents |
May form hydrochloric acid in combustion, can be toxic by inhalation, eye and mucous membrane irritant |
acid rain forming, may accelerate boiler corrosion, leading to lower efficiency and greater release of all contaminants, ozone depletion |
1685 |
polychlorinated biphenyls |
mixing of other contaminated oils (transformer oils) |
toxic by ingestion, carcinogenic |
persistent organic pollutant (POP) – does not break down and can be magnified and accumulated up the food chain; POPs tend to accumulate at the poles |
5 |