To work properly, chainsaw chains and bars must be lubricated.
In the past, most operators have used petroleum-based oils. When
a chain saw is used, virtually all of the lubricant ends up in
the environment. Every year thousands of gallons of chain-and-
bar oil are carried into the forests and none returns. The
demand for environmentally acceptable products is growing
rapidly. There is increased concern about the influence of
petroleum-based oils on the envi-ronment. Also, exposure to
petroleum-based oils can have adverse health effects on users.
One potential alternative is the use of “environmentally
compatible” or “enviro-friendly” oils that are produced from
vegetables. To achieve this classification, an oil must be
nontoxic and must biodegrade rapidly if spilled. Rapeseed-based
(usually called canola) oil is currently the most common
environmentally compatible chain-and-bar lubricant. Vegetable-
based oils are triglycerides or natural esters that come from
agricultural crops. These oils are natural product