Best available techniques (BAT) for auto repair shops

The report presents an overview of processes and products which are used in auto repair shops, and describes the existing possibilities of implementing cleaner technologies or best available techniques for avoiding or reducing emissions and environmental impacts. Auto repair shops produce noise, waste and wastewater and contribute to air pollution primarily from the use of volatile organic solvents (VOC) through undersealing of cars and painting of cars, but VOCs are also emitted from degreasing agents, filling agents and glue. Wastewater from auto repair shops may have a high content of oil, heavy metals and other hazardous substances. The amount of waste from auto repair shops may be large and could consist of many types of hazardous waste. Also, there is a significant risk of soil pollution from oil and heavy metals. Cars themselves and many car maintenance products, spare parts and other materials used in auto repair shops contain substances which from an environmental and health point of view are particularly concerning. These substances are of significance to health and safety, and are emitted to the environment not only from the auto repair shops, but also from cars being used and when they are scrapped.