Spent Lubricant Oil Generation Rate and Handling Practices Among Automobile Mechanics in Selected Mechanic Workshops in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Many African countries, especially Nigeria, are grappling with proper management of spent lubricant oil, which poses an immediate threat to the environment and human health. Addressing this issue can considerably reduce environmental and health risk. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the spent lubricant oil generation rate and handling practices in selected mechanic workshops in Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. Pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was utilized to obtain information from the automobile mechanics on spent lubricant oil generation rate and handling practices. Also, an observational checklist and Focus Group Discussion guide were used to obtain information on the current state of automobile mechanics’ spent lubricant oil management practices and the challenges faced. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data while the qualitative data was summarized using thematic analysis. The results revealed a huge volume of 448.06 barrels of spent lubricant oil generated annually, which is sufficient to boost its availability for small-scale recycling. Furthermore, 10 (19.6%) of the mechanics reused, sold, and disposed of spent lubricant oil on land without treatment, whilst the majority, 41 (80.4%) of the mechanics simply reused and sold spent lubricant oil without treatment, which is entirely inappropriate. Thematic investigation went on to show that the mechanics' lack of training and resources for appropriate recycling options contributed to their ignorance of the correct procedures for managing spent lubricant oil. Therefore, the study emphasizes the need for mechanics’ training and resources for appropriate recycling options to reduce environmental and health risk.