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i HYDRAULIC FLUIDS USED IN HYDRAULIC LIFT TANKS: CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, ENVIRONMENTAL FATE, AND TOXICITY The following information was derived from a literature search of materials that are not proprietary ' The composition of hydraulic fluids developed by the major oil companies and other manufacturers is trade secret information not subject to public review Based on the limited availability of data, the analysis of the toxicity and environmental fate of hydraulic fluids is generalized. A. COMPOSITION OF HYDRAULIC FLUIDS Three major classes of hydraulic fluids are available for use in HLTs: 11) Petroleum-derived oils (including mineral oils$ - These oils are used for a variety of hydraulic lifts, such as elevators and mobile platforms used in automotive service bays. These products are formulated to be fire-resistant. Various additives, such as stabilizers and antioxidants, are added to improve the products' performance or to extend their useful life in hydraulic lift tanks. (2) Vegetable-denved oils - Since these oils are prone to decompose rapidly, a variety of additives are used to stabilize and preserve them. Vegetable-derived oils are relatively new on the market, and are not as widely used as the petroleum-based oils. (3) Synthetic hydraulic fluids - These are relatively expensive products formulated for specialized applications. They are often composed primarily of synthetic esters or polyglycols Due to their greater cost, they are used mainly for high temperature and/or high pressure hydraulic systems in industries such as steel manufacturing, and in aircraft, submarines, and ships. Due to their specialized uses, these synthetic products are excluded from further discussion in this review and analysis. These sourrp% am Inst(-d in the b1hilography and af)pvnclix