Does brake fluid kill plants?
If you work on your car from time to time, proper disposal of auto chemicals is a definite priority. If a leak does occur, it’s natural to wonder the effects, so with that in mind, does brake fluid kill plants?
As far as plants are concerned, brake fluid is probably the most toxic automotive fluid out there and it will definitely kill your plants. In a study, which compared the effects of different fluids on plant life, brake fluid was the worst, closely followed by antifreeze, and automatic transmission fluid in third in toxicity to plants.
In today’s article, we’re going to explore the question in a little more detail, so you know why it’s so toxic to plants, what effects occur with exposure, what brake fluid does to grass, and its environmental impact. general. Keep reading and we’ll tell you everything!
Why does brake fluid kill plants?
Brake fluid is toxic in large part due to the diethylene glycol that is present in its composition. Most often used with polyester resins and to make plasticizers, this chemical can do a lot of damage when enough is spilled on a plant.
It can also seep into the soil, making it contaminated and unsuitable for growing plants until sufficiently diluted or dispersed. As such, you’ll need to be very careful how you dispose of brake fluid – it’s definitely deadly to plants.
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What is the effect of brake fluid on plants?
In the study we mentioned at the beginning of this article, various automotive fluids were tested to determine the potential effects of a fluid spray after a car accident on plant life.
Brake fluid was found to have the worst effects, often killing the plants in as little as 4 days and basically reducing them to what was described as “a thin rope, almost like a spider web”.
Another study provides a bit more insight into why this is so, focusing on the main ingredient in brake fluid, diethylene glycol. Plants that were first exposed to this chemical experienced a huge decrease in their ability to process water. This resulted in chlorosis, wilting, and eventual necrosis of plant tissue.
The LD50, which is a term used to describe an amount that was fatal to about half of the plants (50% lethal dose), was found to be 6238 milligrams, but keep in mind that this was an experiment. to see if plants could help clean up a large area of sewage at a construction site.
Therefore, even in very small amounts, a brake fluid spill has a high chance of killing the plants it is spilled on and contaminating the soil to prevent new ones from growing until it is properly cleaned up or otherwise diluted.
What does brake fluid do to grass?
Brake fluid, when spilled on your lawn, is likely to kill you in 2-4 days and also contaminate the soil. This means that you will not be able to simply reseed the contaminated patch.
Your best approach would be to dig up the affected area to dispose of the dirt as you would any hazardous waste.
By replacing the soil, this helps to ensure that rains do not arrive and further contaminate the soil and you can also immediately reseed the patch or transplant new grass in its place.
While it seems a bit extreme, replacing the soil is actually the best option: Diethylene glycol is quite toxic, and once it’s in the soil, it’s extremely difficult to properly clean it up to make it fertile again.
Is brake fluid bad for the environment?
Yes. Brake fluid is bad for the environment due to its toxicity to plant and animal life when spilled. Since it’s necessary for proper brake function, it’s a good idea to know how to dispose of it safely and properly.
The best thing you can do with your discarded brake fluid is to take advantage of the absorbent qualities of kitty litter. Get a large metal tray and fill it so there is ½ inch of kitty litter inside and then you will want to pour the old brake fluid into the litter.
After that, you will want to let the tray sit for a period of 3-4 days, until it is fully absorbed into the sand.
Basically this should ‘bundle’ it into sections, so you can collect it in bin bags and then dispose of it according to local laws.
Another easy alternative is to take it to a local recycling center or auto body shop and they may be able to help you too, although the latter option may charge a modest fee for proper disposal.
The ‘car body’ method is often the best route to take as they will be familiar with the proper disposal laws and much better equipped to comply with them.
As toxic as brake fluid is, proper disposal is a great habit and will also help you avoid costly fees or damage caused by an accidental spill or improper disposal methods.
to finish
Today we have answered the question ‘does brake fluid kill plants?’ and the answer is a definite ‘yes’. Brake fluid contains chemicals that can quickly kill plant life and contaminate soil, with diethylene glycol being the main culprit.
When spilled on plants, they can’t process the water and wilting, chlorosis and necrosis will soon ensue, all while the brake fluid penetrates deeper into the soil and prevents replanting without removing it completely.
With proper disposal habits, you can help reduce the chances of spillage, and this can be done with kitty litter or even a trip to the local auto body shop. While brake fluid is currently a “necessary evil,” responsible disposal can definitely help reduce your environmental impact until a greener replacement becomes available.
