Waste / Used Crankcase Oils (UCOs)

Listed on the First Priority Substances List (PSL1). Follow-up Assessment concludes that used crankcase oils are considered to be CEPA toxic.

Used crankcase oils (UCOs) is one of the 44 substances placed on the First Priority Substances List (PSL1) to determine whether the substance posed a significant risk to the health of Canadians or to the environment.

Assessment Status and Conclusion

Environment Canada and Health Canada completed the ecological and human health assessment of UCOs and published the final PSL1assessment report in 1994. There was insufficient information to conclude whether UCOs constituted a danger to the environment under paragraph 11(a) of CEPA.

A follow-up to the PSL1 assessment was conducted by Environment Canada. Based on the findings of the analysis of data published on the exposure and effect of UCOs to aquatic ecosystems, it is concluded that UCOs are entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity. It is concluded that UCOs be considered "toxic" under paragraph 64(a) of The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).

Publications

• PSL1 Assessment Report (1994)
  
• Follow-Up Report (2005)
  
• Summary of Public Comments on the Draft Assessment Report