Environmental Impacts of Fuel Stations

Fuel stations, while essential for modern transportation, present a range of environmental risks that extend well beyond their immediate footprint.¹ These impacts span air, soil, water, and ecological systems, with effects that can persist for decades if not properly managed.

Air Pollution

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Benzene

• Gasoline is highly volatile. During storage, transfer, and refueling, fuel stations emit significant amounts of VOCs, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX).¹
• These compounds contribute to local air pollution and can form ground-level ozone (smog), which harms air quality and can affect both human and ecosystem health.³
• Studies show that benzene levels near fuel stations can be elevated above typical urban background levels, with the impact most pronounced within 50–100 meters of the station.²⁴

Dispersion and Distance

• The zone of elevated air pollution typically extends up to 80–100 meters from the fuel station, depending on station throughput, number of pumps, and local weather conditions.²⁹
• Airborne pollutants can affect nearby homes, schools, and businesses, raising concerns for sensitive land uses in close proximity to stations.⁹¹⁰

Soil and Groundwater Contamination

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

• Underground tanks and pipelines can corrode or fail, leading to leaks of petroleum products into the surrounding soil.⁵
• Petroleum hydrocarbons, including BTEX, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), lead, and other additives, can migrate rapidly through permeable soils.⁶⁸
• Even small leaks can contaminate large volumes of groundwater—a 10-gallon gasoline leak can render up to 12 million gallons of water unsafe due to benzene contamination.⁶

Long-Term Soil Hazards

• Contaminated soil often requires removal and sequestration in landfills, which is expensive and logistically challenging, especially if contamination is under existing structures.⁷
• Legacy contamination from old or decommissioned stations remains a significant problem, with many sites still unreported or unmanaged.⁵

Water Pollution

Groundwater and Surface Water Threats

• Petroleum contaminants can reach groundwater, threatening drinking-water supplies and nearby rivers, lakes, or creeks.⁵
• Surface-water contamination can harm aquatic ecosystems and disrupt local biodiversity.⁸

Habitat Disruption

• Construction and operation of fuel stations can lead to land degradation, loss of green space, and destruction of natural habitats.¹⁰
• Changes in soil chemistry and reduced biological activity can negatively affect plant growth and local ecosystems.¹¹

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Direct and Indirect Emissions

• Fuel stations contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions through evaporative losses, leaks, and the combustion of dispensed fuels.¹
• These emissions add to the carbon footprint of the transportation sector and contribute to climate change.³

Conclusion

Fuel stations are persistent sources of environmental pollution, with impacts on air quality, soil and water integrity, and local ecosystems. While modern regulations and technologies have reduced some risks, legacy contamination and ongoing emissions remain significant challenges. Effective risk mitigation requires stringent regulatory oversight, advanced engineering controls, and ongoing monitoring to protect both the environment and public health.⁷

Citations

¹ U.S. Energy Information Administration – “Gasoline and the Environment.” ↩︎↩︎↩︎

² Marmara University – Investigation of Environmental Effects of Gas Stations (BTEX & distance). ↩︎↩︎

³ Greenly – “How Does a Gas Station Affect the Environment?” ↩︎↩︎

⁴ Phys.org – “Petrol Stations Can Pollute the Environment.” ↩︎

⁵ Beyond Toxics (2023) – “Beneath the Pump: The Threat of Petroleum Contamination.” ↩︎↩︎↩︎

⁶ Nature (2024) – Peer-reviewed study on groundwater contamination volumes. ↩︎↩︎

⁷ NEO Consulting – Contaminated-Land Remediation for NSW Service Stations. ↩︎↩︎

⁸ Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection – “Soil Pollution from Fuels.” ↩︎↩︎

⁹ Health WA – Guidance on Service Stations & Sensitive Land Uses. ↩︎↩︎

¹⁰ EPA South Australia – Petrol Station Development Application Checklist. ↩︎↩︎

¹¹ Queensland DES – Application Requirements: Petroleum Storage & Handling. ↩︎