HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINTS OF SPENT LUBRICATING OIL (SLO)

Abstract

The increasing reliance on petroleum products since the 1990s has positioned lubricating oil as a vital component in industrial operations. However, the indiscriminate disposal of spent lubricating oil (SLO) after its useful life presents serious environmental and health hazards. Toxic substances in SLO disrupt the balance between biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems, leading to reduced species survival, reproductive issues, and potential extinction, ultimately threatening biodiversity and food chain integrity. This review adopts a comprehensive literature-based methodology, sourcing data from peer-reviewed journals, technical reports, and case studies accessed through databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The analysis reveals significant adverse effects of SLO contamination, including organ toxicity, hormonal disruption, soil quality degradation, reproductive abnormalities, and biodiversity loss. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved disposal practices, stronger policy enforcement, and public education to reduce the long-term environmental and biological impacts of SLO pollution.