Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belong to a very heteroge-neous group of chemicals characterized by their relatively highvapor pressures. Exposure to these compounds can bring abouta variety of adverse health effects, including asthma, headaches,mucosal symptoms (Steinemann, 2008) and, in some cases(e.g. benzene), an increased risk of cancer (Ott et al., 1978; Lyngeet al., 1997). In Europe, the only legally regulated VOC as regardsairquality is benzene (Directives 2000/69/EC and 2008/50/EC). The indirect effects of VOCs on health are related to their role as precursors of ozone and other photochemical pollutants.In urban areas, the main source of VOCs is usually traffic. Additional sources are petrol stations and small-scale industries(paint,adhesives,etc.) which use organic compounds as solvents.PetrolstationsasemissionsourcesofVOCshavebeenthesubjectof considerable study, a particular interest being those related to thedesign and evaluation of control systems in an attempt to diminishemissions (Uren,1997; Ohlrogge et al., 2000),
Isabel et al., (2010) conducted a study on assessing the impact of petrol stations on their immediate surroundings in Spain. Their study found that when a petrol station is surrounded by roads with intense traffic, the emissions from the petrol station are not as important as those coming from vehicle combustion. If the petrol station emissions are mixing with relatively clean air the typical n-hexane/benzene ratio from these stations changes more slowly.
The research study showed that a “minimum” distance of 50 metres should be maintained between petrol stations and housing, and 100 metres for “especially vulnerable” facilities such as hospitals, health centres, schools and old people’s homes. “Ideally, the 100 metre distance should be respected in plans for building new houses.
The researchers proposed carrying out their study at new construction areas in which it is planned to build these kinds of facilities. However, they suggest that petrol stations are not the only source of emission of these pollutants. They recommend that other sources of emission (traffic and industries near population hubs) should be controlled or reduced.
References
Morales., I., Terrés, M., Miñarro, D. M., Ferradas, G. E., Caracena, B.E & Rico B. J. (2010). Assessing the Impact of Petrol Stations on their Immediate Surroundings. Journal of Environmental Management, 2010; 91 (12): 2754 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.08.009
Lynge, E., Andersen, A., Nilsson, R., Barlow, L., Pukkala, E., Nordlinder, R., Boffetta, P.,Grandjean, P., Heikkila, P., Horte, L.G., Jakobsson, R., Lundberg, I., Moen, B.,Partanen, T., Riise, T., (1997). Risk of cancer and exposure to gasoline vapors. American Journal of Epidemiolog.145, 449-458.
EC Directive, (2000). Council Directive 2000/69/EC relating to limit values of benceneand carbon monoxide in ambient air. Of ficial Journal of European Comunities L 313, 12.
EC Directive, (2008). Council Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality anda cleaner air for Europe. Official Journal of European Comunities. L 152, 144.
Teinemann, A.C., (2008). Fragranced consumer products and undisclosed ingredi-ents. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 29, 32-38.
Ott, M.G., Townsend, J.C., Fishbeck, W.A., Langner, R.A., (1978). Mortality amongworkers occupationally exposed to benzene. Archives of Environmental Health33, 3-10.
Uren,S., (1997). A pilotstudy toassess benzene concentrations in the vicinityof petrolstations.Croydon.AvailableontheInternet.UKDepartmentofEnvironment,UK.http://www.environmental-center.com/articles/article122/doebenv3.doc.
Ohlrogge, K., Wind, J., Hassel, D., (2000). New technology for emission reduction atpetrol stations. In:Czech Associationof IUAPPA(InternationalUnionof AirPollution Prevention and Environmental Associations) (Ed.), ConferenceProceedings of the 12th Regional Central European Conference IUAPPA and 4thInternational Conference on Environmental Impact Assessment, pp. 418-425.
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