Has there been any animals lead poisoned by sump oil?

global lead advice
& support service

^{^{^{Run by}}}

The Lead Education and Abatement Design Group
Working to eliminate lead poisoning globally and to protect the
environment from lead in all its uses: past, current and new uses
ABN 25 819 463 114

Australians! Take action today. Is lead harming
you & your kids? Buy low cost, NATA accredited
laboratory lead test kits here. Sample your dust,
soil, water, paint, toys, jewellery, ceramics
	Water Lead test Kits

Proceeds from our DIY Home Lead Assessment kit sales go towards the
Keeping Australian Lead Out of Leaded Petrol Initiative.

About Us
bell system lead poisoning
Contact Us
Council Lead Project
egroups
Library-Fact Sheets
Home Page
Media Releases
Newsletters
Q&A
Referral Lists
Reports
Site Map
Slide Shows-Films
Subscribe-Donate
Useful Links

Visitor Number

QUESTION: Has there been any animals lead poisoned by sump oil? 29 Nov 2003, Tasmania Australia

Does sump oil from lead free petrol engines contain any lead? What about diesel engines? (Farm animals tend to like to consume old sump oil and used to get lead poisoning)

ANSWER: 08 Jan 2004

Dear Madam,

As up to one quarter of the lead from leaded petrol remains in the engine, it is inevitable that a car that has ever run on leaded petrol will have lead in the sump oil, even during the years when it is running on unleaded petrol. There is also a small contamination level of lead in unleaded petrol so sump oil is highly likely to have at least a contamination level of lead even in post 1986 vehicles. There is apparently no lead in diesel so sump oil from diesel engines may not be lead-contaminated.

Has there been an animal lead poisoned by sump oil? My own child may well have been a victim of sump oil-origin lead poisoning although the lead in the garden soil generally was elevated, as was the dust in the carpet.

Cheers
Elizabeth O'Brien

Update 2011:

DPI NSW Lead poisoning in livestock
Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland Lead poisoning in livestock
TheCattleSite: Diseases and Conditions, Lead Poisoning
NADIS Lead Poisoning in Cattle