Anyone who has ever pumped their own gas downwind of the tank knows the tell-tale smell of fuel. But even from a distance those fumes linger. Researchers in Spain found that gas fumes contaminate the air up to 100 meters, or 328 feet, away with potential health hazards.
The airborne chemicals came mostly from unburned fuel evaporating during refilling of the stations' storage tanks, during automobile refueling, and from spillage. The researchers from the University of Murcia measured the levels of two common gasoline related pollutants, benzene and hexane, in the area around the stations. They then compared these levels to the contamination caused by normal automobile traffic, and found higher levels in areas around gas stations.
"Some airborne organic compounds – such as benzene, which increases the risk of cancer – have been recorded at petrol stations at levels above the average levels for urban areas where traffic is the primary source of emission," said Marta Doval of the University of Murcia, and co-author of the study, in a press release from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology Science Information and News Service.
The research was published in the December issue of the Journal of Environmental Management.
The amount of air pollution created depended on a number of factors, including weather, surrounding structures, amount of gasoline pumped, and traffic intensity.
Never Stop at a Gas Station Again
Traffic could actually serve to mask the effects of the gas stations. Heavy traffic overlapped and overpowered the gas stations as sources of air contamination.
But automobiles and gas stations aren't the only sources of benzene, hexane, and other air contaminants, warned one of the researchers.
"There is not much use in protecting people from petrol stations if the other sources of emission (above all traffic and industries near population hubs) are not controlled or reduced", said Enrique González, leader of the University of Murcia team in a press release.
Electric CarsThe research suggests housing should be placed a minimum of 50 meters (164 feet) from gas stations. Vulnerable places, like hospitals, retirement centers, and schools, should be kept 100 meters away.
Tags: Carbon Emissions, Chemistry, Pollution
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