Hydraulic fluid
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pl:Olej hydrauliczny Hydraulic fluids are a large group of liquids made of many kinds of chemicals. They are used in automobile automatic transmissions, brakes, and power steering; forklift trucks; tractors; bulldozers; industrial machinery; and airplanes. The three most common types of hydraulic fluids are mineral oil, organophosphate ester, and polyalphaolefin. Some of the trade names for hydraulic fluids include Durad®, Fyrquel®, Skydrol®, Houghton-Safe®, Pydraul®, Reofos®, Reolube®, and Quintolubric®.
Some hydraulic fluids have a bland, oily smell and others have no smell; some will burn and some will not burn. Certain hydraulic fluids are produced from crude oil and others are manufactured.
It was reported that 3,800 patients run by Duke University Health System were operated on in 2004 with instruments that were washed in hydraulic fluid instead of detergent. This occurred after an elevator company drained hydraulic fluid into empty detergent barrels and the detergent supplier redistributed them as detergent, both substances are similar in appearance. The problem was not fixed for weeks in spite of the fact that staff members complained that the tools were "slick". The hospital claims that there are no risks associated with the mix-up however, patients have reported lingering health concerns.