Understanding Household Pollutants

Diazinon

Diazinon remains a pollutant of concern because of its potential to impact local creeks and the San Francisco Bay. Diazinon is a synthetic chemical used in pesticides. It may reach the sewer through sewer drains, storm water inflow to sewer pipes, food waste, etc. Diazinon is the name of an organophosphorus insecticide used to control pest insects in soil, on ornamental plants, and on fruit and vegetable crops. It is also used to control household pests such as flies, fleas, and cockroaches.

Diazinon is sold under the names of Alfatox, Basudin, AG 500, Gardentox, Knoxout, and Spectracide. The health effects include nervous system disruption, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, constriction of the pupils, blurry vision, and few cases of death. There are numerous websites available with more information on diazinon, simply type in keyword “Diazinon” and begin your search. Use alternative remedies to control pests. These alternative remedies can be found the web at www.cleanwaterprogram.org.

Used Motor Oil

Today’s society has evolved around the automobile powered by fossil fuels. In order for that form of transportation to continue operating properly you need to change the oil frequently. Improper disposal of this pollutant can have serious impacts on the local creeks and the Bay. Used motor oil is household hazardous waste and should be taken to an Alameda County HHW Facility. Find other used motor oil disposal options on reSource.org.

Illegal disposal of used motor oil causes detrimental and sometimes irreversible effects to the aquatic environment. Recycling used motor oil also saves our environmental supply of oil for future generations. It only takes 1 gallon of used motor oil to produce 2 ½ quarts of refined oil, while it takes 42 gallons of crude oil to produce the same 2 ½ quarts of oil. For more information on oil facts visit the website www.calrecycle.ca.gov/usedoil/facts.

Important Numbers

(510) 276-4700 Oro Loma Sanitary District Office 24/7 Emergency Response

(510) 613-8710 Waste Management of Alameda County

(877) STOPWASTE Alameda County Recycling Hotline

(800) 606-6606 Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste

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