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Thursday, May. 27, 2021

Did Popular Science magazine publish a tip in 1963 that disposing of used engine oil in the ground is OK?

Marlo Lee, Lead Stories

yes

But disposing of used oil in the ground wasn't a good idea in 1963 and it's not a good idea now, six decades later.

Used motor oil dumped in soil can make its way into groundwater.

A social media post picked up a small article from the January 1963 issue of Popular Science describing how to dump used oil. The post's caption—"It's actually okay, because oil comes out of the ground, correct … "—has a satiricial ring but anyone taking the post seriously should realize that oil dumped into the ground can create problems.

Toxic substances such as benzene, lead, zinc, and cadmium can be carried into lakes, rivers or groundwater, according to experts.

The American Petroleum Institute says that "many service stations, repair facilities and quick lubes will accept used oil and used oil filters" for proper disposal or recycling.

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