Since I don’t want to run across the ListMom by forwarding too much I’m staring
a new thread:

I’m on a budget so i like to buy ‘em ugly.  So I’ve tuned in an electrolysis and
very mild acid treatment that is giving me satisfactory results (hardness,
cleanness, patina, rust resistance) on heavily rusted items.

I have one nagging concern I have is disposing the by product of the
electrolysis.

I’m careful to use only real steel as anodes, never stainless. I only use
electrolysis on things that are clearly 100% steel, nothing that doesn’t clearly
hold a magnet. Anything I use it on is scrubbed during degreasing to make sure
there’s no trace of brass, copper, etc. So while it’s possible there’s something
sneaking in other than steel, baking soda, and water . . .  . I’m not concerned
about that potentially carcinogenic reaction I’ve read about. I only do it at
the door, with a box fan right over the vat to blow any vapors out of the shop,
so I’m not worried about gases like hydrogen building up.

But the nasty black - red - foamy stew that’s left over after I do 3-4 items . .
. . I’ve been pouring it out in a remote area of my multiple acre property,
generally on a day when it’s raining, or I have reasonable assurance that it
will rain within 24 hours.

I believe what I’m doing is pouring out water, baking soda, and relatively minor
amounts of iron oxide, none of which is harmful. I’ve tried to find confirmation
online . . . . Leaving aside highly technical EPA or state regulation things
that someone might throw out . . . . . . . can any of the more knowledgeable
galoots give me some comfort or warning here? The amounts don’t concern me for
ground water, etc., and no animal is stupid enough to drink this slurry . . .
mostly I want to make sure I’m not poisoning trees in the immediate area.