Johnpaul Azorji - Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
R.U Okechukwu - Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
A.C. Udebuani - Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
C.M Duru - Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to appraise the volume, potential use, and disposal methods of spent engine oil generated in selected mechanic workshops in Imo State, South-East Nigeria. The study utilized a well-structured questionnaire, personal interviews, and field observations to generate relevant data on the mechanic workshops. Results obtained showed that the highest volume of spent engine generated was obtained from the Owerri zone (۱۲۴,۴۸۹.۳۶ L), while the lowest was gotten from the Okigwe area (۱۸,۴۳۴.۵۲ L). The total annual volume of spent engine oil generated (in liters) was ۱۷۱, ۳۵۴.۸۸ from the entire study area. Both the frequency and percentage disposal methods were highest with those that dispose it in their immediate environment ۱۶۸ (۴۹.۵۶%) while others used it for other purposes such as pest control ۳۸ (۱۱.۲۱%), marking playground ۲۵ (۷.۳۷%), treating roofing timber ۴۳ (۱۲.۶۹) and pit latrine ۱۸ (۵.۳۱%). The no knowledge of health, environmental risk, and training of disposal methods of spent engine oil were significantly higher (P<۰.۰۵) than the yes response of the study areas. The study concluded that there appear to be poor spent engine oil disposal attitudes among the mechanics in the state and that such a practice may lead to serious environmental pollution. The need for proper spent engine oil disposal methods among the mechanics is recommended.The study was carried out to appraise the volume, potential use, and disposal methods of spent engine oil generated in selected mechanic workshops in Imo State, South-East Nigeria. The study utilized a well-structured questionnaire, personal interviews, and field observations to generate relevant data on the mechanic workshops. Results obtained showed that the highest volume of spent engine generated was obtained from the Owerri zone (۱۲۴,۴۸۹.۳۶ L), while the lowest was gotten from the Okigwe area (۱۸,۴۳۴.۵۲ L). The total annual volume of spent engine oil generated (in liters) was ۱۷۱, ۳۵۴.۸۸ from the entire study area. Both the frequency and percentage disposal methods were highest with those that dispose it in their immediate environment ۱۶۸ (۴۹.۵۶%) while others used it for other purposes such as pest control ۳۸ (۱۱.۲۱%), marking playground ۲۵ (۷.۳۷%), treating roofing timber ۴۳ (۱۲.۶۹) and pit latrine ۱۸ (۵.۳۱%). The no knowledge of health, environmental risk, and training of disposal methods of spent engine oil were significantly higher (P<۰.۰۵) than the yes response of the study areas. The study concluded that there appear to be poor spent engine oil disposal attitudes among the mechanics in the state and that such a practice may lead to serious environmental pollution. The need for proper spent engine oil disposal methods among the mechanics is recommended.

Engine oil, Volume, Disposal, Mechanic workshops, Imo state