Aspergillus flavus: A degrader of commercial brake fluids

The role of; Aspergillus flavus during the deterioration of brake fluids; was identified. The impact of; A. flavus on used and unused brake fluids; were studied. This research was carried out at the University of Port Harcourt from September 2019 to November 2020. Abro and Jenox DOT3 brake fluids were the samples used for this research. The sample included their unused and used counterpart. Tests to identify microorganisms and physico-chemical parameters; were done. Total viable count, pH and optical density; were tested to check for the level of biodeterioration. Biodeterioration rate was more in Jenox brake fluid than Abro brake fluid. Aspergillus flavus is a major biodegrader in the brake fluid samples. Total viable count and optical density increased as the days progressed during biodeterioration while pH decreased. Brake fluid is an essential fluid needed by most vehicles to function. It is necessary to top-up brake fluid or substitutes; at the appropriate time. No two brands of brake fluid are the same. Therefore, it is advisable not to mix.

Suicide by ethylene glycol/brake oil poisoning—a case report

Background Brake fluid is used for automobiles. It is a mixture of different glycol derivatives including ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol (DEG) which are metabolized into various toxic metabolites. Fatalities following brake fluid ingestion are rare in forensic practice. Here, we report a case of suicide by brake fluid ingestion complicated with severe renal failure and esophageal and gastric erosions. Case presentation A 52-year-old male, with a history of alcohol dependence and comorbid moderate depression, ingested a bottle of brake fluid (100ml) mixed with alcohol. He had defaulted psychiatric follow-up. He developed severe metabolic acidosis and acute renal failure which necessitated intensive care, other supportive management, and the antidote; ethyl alcohol. On the 2nd day of admission, he developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding with melena. He also had seizures and cardiovascular complications. He died 12 days after hospital admission, and the manner of death was concluded as suicidal. The autopsy revealed congested and edematous brain, flabby and pale heart without evidence of infarction, erythematous trachea, bilateral diffuse pulmonary edema, congested liver, ulcer over the lower 1/3 of the esophagus, and few ulcers in the stomach. Also, the kidneys were edematous, diffusely necrosed, and there were adrenal hemorrhages. Conclusions This case report highlights the severity of effects of brake fluid poisoning including the corrosive effect on gastrointestinal mucosa which is rarely encountered in clinical practice.

Behavioral responses of freshwater bivalve mussel Unio pictorum to household derivatives of petroleum products

Petroleum products are one of the most common pollutants in water environments. Despite the fact that they do not belong to the mass of particularly dangerous toxic substances, their presence in the surface film, in dissolved form and sedimentary material adversely affects the life of marine and freshwater native flora and fauna. The list of sanitary and epidemiological rules and regulations “Zones of sanitary protection of water supply sources and drinking water pipes” specifies only general cartographic and design requirements. Thus, the purity and safety of fresh water used for irrigation and human activity without regular monitoring remains questionable. Bioelectronic monitoring of oil pollution in water sources using laboratory flow systems or submersible autonomous meters is becoming more and more relevant. Since field experiments with in these studies are in most cases impossible, it is logical to base on the results of laboratory experiments that are as close as possible to natural conditions. Under laboratory conditions, the possibility of automated detection of some common household derivatives of petroleum products in surface water sources is evaluated using a bioelectronic complex and bivalve freshwater mollusks (Unio pictorum) as part of environmental monitoring. The probability of actual detection of used petroleum products is estimated as “high” for diesel fuel, “medium” for kerosene and white spirit, and “low” for engine oil and brake fluid. The probability of detection as toxicants: “high” for diesel fuel, “medium” for white spirit, “low” for kerosene, engine oil and brake fluid.

Operational Tests of Brake Fluid in Passenger Cars

During the operation of vehicles, the properties of liquids and consumables deteriorate, which may affect the level of safety of technical systems and road traffic safety. The results of testing brake fluid aging as a function of boiling point and percentage of water content were presented on a selected group of passenger cars. The tested vehicles were varied in terms of age and kilometer mileage. The methodology for testing the quality of brake fluid based on glycol selected passenger cars remaining in service has been presented. In this study was shown a significant decrease in the brake fluids quality during the two years of operation in vehicles. The determination of boiling point was more efficient than the determination of water content. Despite the lack of full vehicle operational information, the obtained test results allow for exciting observations.