Health & Air Quality

The EPA recommends screening for health risks when sensitive uses like homes, schools, and parks are within 1,000 feet of a gas station.

Gas stations are not benign businesses; they are sources of continuous, toxic air pollution. During fueling and from underground tank vents, gas stations release a cocktail of chemicals, including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene [1].

Benzene is a known human carcinogen. The World Health Organization states there is no safe level of exposure [2]. Long-term exposure is linked to increased risks of cancer, anemia, and other serious health issues. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable.

  • A 2019 study found that benzene emissions from gas station vents were high enough to be a health concern at a distance of up to 525 feet [3].

  • The U.S. EPA recommends a minimum 1,000-foot safety zone between high-volume gas stations and "sensitive land uses" like residences, schools, and parks [4].

  • Even with Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) systems, vapor emissions still occur in the vast majority of vehicles studied [5].

  • In our neighborhood survey, 76% of respondents reported living with a vulnerable person (a child, an older adult, or someone with a chronic condition) as defined by the TCEQ [6].

Legacy of Contamination

The site at 1909 Washington has a long history of automotive use, including as a used car lot and service center since at least the 1950s. This creates a high probability of existing soil and groundwater contamination from decades of oil, solvents, and heavy metals. Before any new construction, a thorough environmental cleanup under the oversight of the TCEQ is essential to protect our community and water supply from historical pollution.

References:

  1. Hilpert, Markus et al. “Hydrocarbon Release During Fuel Storage and Transfer at Gas Stations: Environmental and Health Effects.” Current environmental health reports vol. 2,4 (2015): 412-22. doi:10.1007/s40572-015-0074-8

  2. Harrison R, Delgado Saborit JM, Dor F, et al. Benzene. In: WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Selected Pollutants. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010. 1. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138708/

  3. Hilpert, Markus et al. “Vent pipe emissions from storage tanks at gas stations: Implications for setback distances.” The Science of the total environment vol. 650,Pt 2 (2019): 2239-2250. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.303

  4. EPA School Siting Guidelines

  5. Shearston, Jenni A, and Markus Hilpert. “Gasoline Vapor Emissions During Vehicle Refueling Events in a Vehicle Fleet Saturated With Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery Systems: Need for an Exposure Assessment.” Frontiers in public health vol. 8 18. 7 Feb. 2020, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.00018

  6. Neighborhood Survey of Resident's’ Opinions on Proposed Gas Station at Washington Avenue & Silver Street