A Conceptual Framework for Implementation of Gas Stations for Environmental Management Purposes

Although progressive urbanization and growing fuel consumption would necessitate the construction of new filling stations in urban areas with regard to traffic provisions, increase in the number of gas stations in a region makes it more vulnerable to several environmental hazards. Furthermore, lack of proper safety guidelines for gas stations could lead to severe environmental contamination, and exposure to petroleum products can cause serious health problems ranging from cancer and adverse effects on nervous and respiratory systems to death in extreme cases. In this study, different risk reduction approaches that address location finding, design considerations, environmental management planning, and retrofit of existing gas stations have been briefly investigated to establish an objective framework for implementation of gas stations for environmental management purposes. Furthermore, observation wells, as a means to monitor potential underground water contamination by nearby gas stations, have been introduced and general usage guidelines have been proposed. Although further investigation is required to provide detailed plans for specific locations, it is found that the proposed considerations and environmental management plan could sharply decrease the risk of environmental contamination by gas stations, in case appropriate policies are implemented on a large scale.

Keywords:

environmental management , gas stations , oil contamination , passive monitoring , public health , safety guidelines , UST oil leak