Automobile Repair, Maintenance & Body Shops

Petroleum-based cleaning products and degreasers are stored in drums at the facility, along with new and used oil, antifreeze, and solvents. Improper storage can result in the release of contaminants and lead to expensive on-site cleanups.

Hydraulic lifts may be present and can be below or above ground. Releases of hydraulic fluid can go undiscovered and allow leaks into the subsurface over a long period. Releases can migrate to groundwater or enter storm drains, sewer systems, or drywells, requiring cleanup.

Oil/water separators may be present and can be in-ground or aboveground. They receive oily wastewater and could develop leaks, allowing oil to seep into the surrounding soil and groundwater. Releases can result in on-site contamination or migrate and contaminate neighboring properties.

Automobile repair facilities often store new and used wet-cell automotive batteries on their properties. Damaged batteries could release sulfuric acid, which, if not properly contained, could enter storm drains, sewer systems, or drywells and migrate off-site.

Some products stored may be flammable, such as paint thinners, strippers, waste paint, solvents, and saturated shop rags, and could result in a fire that spreads throughout the facility. A fire could emit toxic fumes and smoke from the burning materials or due to a mix of materials that occurs due to the fire. Fire-fighting solutions such as water and foam could create contaminated run-off that spreads to nearby storm drains or properties, resulting in environmental cleanup and tort liability.

Spent parts washers and cleaners may be considered hazardous due to their low flashpoint or toxicity characteristics. Common solvents in automobile repair shops include methyl ethyl ketone, 1-trichloroethylene, and toluene. Spent parts washer solvents also include heavy metals. Improper storage and handling of parts washer solvents can result in a release that may migrate to floor drains, storm drains, or nearby soil with the potential to reach surface waters and migrate to groundwater.

Transporting waste materials from the facility by the owner or third-party carriers to disposal sites or recycling centers can lead to environmental liability while on the road and during loading and unloading operations. Spills or leaks resulting from accidents or improper cargo securement can lead to third-party and cleanup liability.

Wastewater from auto body shops and automobile repair facilities may have high levels of oil, grease, suspended solids, and heavy metals, as well as cleaning chemicals, degreasing solvents, and detergents. Run-off from work areas creates the potential for pollutants to enter trench or floor drains and eventually empty into the public storm system, where they can contaminate water sources and cause natural resource damage.

Mold could develop from moisture intrusion due to storms, flooding, or leaking water pipes, sprinklers, and HVAC systems. Many buildings are flat-roofed, where pooled water can be absorbed by the roofing material and seep into sub-roof areas. Mold can also develop within HVAC systems (air handling units, coils, and ductwork) or from improper building ventilation or humidity management of climate-controlled storage.

Automobile body garages and repair facilities generate and dispose of wastes such as used oil, automobile fluids, lead-acid batteries, wastewater, sludge, oil from oil/water separators, shop rags soaked with used oil or solvents, and used tires. Materials contaminated with waste paint, such as masking paper, overspray paper, paint booth filters, paint chips from sanding, and spent grip blast material, could be considered hazardous due to heavy metal pigments in the paint. Used lamps commonly classified as hazardous waste include mercury-containing fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge (HID), neon, mercury vapor, high-pressure sodium, and metal halide lamps. Waste generators must determine if their wastes are hazardous and require special disposal or recycling procedures. Waste generators retain “cradle to grave” liability for their disposed of wastes, and improper characterization and disposal can result in environmental liability.

Asbestos can be found in some automotive brake pads and clutch systems. Accumulated dust in the brake area could contain very small asbestos particles that, if inhaled, can cause serious health hazards or fatal diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos-containing dust must be properly contained and sealed in bags to avoid dispersal within the shop and exposing customers. Bags must be labeled and disposed of per all federal, state, and local requirements.