Key Takeaways
- Leaks from underground storage tanks can cause significant soil contamination, leading to environmental hazards and safety concerns for the property’s inhabitants.
- Some common soil contaminants from storage tanks are petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Obstructed vegetation growth, unpleasant odors, and discoloration can be signs of soil contamination. If contamination is detected, prompt action is crucial to avoid further ecological damage and health hazards.
- Consult a trusted environmental remediation company to get expert-level help in identifying and managing soil contamination issues related to underground storage tanks.
Learning What Soil Contaminants Are Commonly Found Around Storage Tanks
Until the mid-1980s, underground storage tanks (USTs) were primarily made of bare steel, which has the potential to erode over time. Due to this, oil tank leaks have been a common problem for many property owners, increasing their risk of spreading soil contaminants throughout their property.
If left unchecked, contaminated soil can cause health concerns for the property’s inhabitants, such as respiratory issues from toxic chemical fumes like benzene and toluene or severe diseases like cancer from polluted groundwater. Contaminated soil can also negatively impact plant growth, sending ripples through surrounding ecological systems.
Some of the most common types of soil contaminants from USTs are petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you notice a lack of plant growth, unpleasant odors outside, or discolored soil, your soil may be contaminated. Be sure to promptly contact a dependable environmental remediation company to test your soil and address potential contamination sites to avoid more extensive remediation efforts down the road.
The Value of Understanding Contaminants
Property owners should educate themselves on the particular contaminants that can be present in the soil surrounding USTs. Individualized soil contaminants can present unique problems and may require individualized cleanup initiatives. For example, some pollutants are flammable, increasing the risk of fires and explosions if not managed carefully.
Therefore, understanding underground oil tanks and the various contaminants that can come from them can help you make informed decisions that can lessen the soil contaminants’ adverse effects, safeguard the environment, and preserve property value. The following pollutants are some of the most common contaminants that can come from underground storage tank leaks.
Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Petroleum hydrocarbons are an extensive group of chemicals that contain carbon and hydrogen. Petroleum hydrocarbons are the primary compounds of many fuels found in USTs. Some examples of fuels that may include petroleum hydrocarbons are:
- Diesel
- Kerosene
- Gasoline
- Motor oil
- Some jet fuels
If a UST on your property leaks oils made with petroleum hydrocarbons, these contaminants can cause groundwater pollution and pose health risks like respiratory problems, even at low concentrations.
Petroleum can harm soil microorganisms, decreasing their prevalence and activity. This can affect the types of nutrients available to plants. Some hydrocarbons can be absorbed by plants, posing health risks to animals and insects. High contamination levels can sometimes prevent seed germination and hinder mature plant growth. Thick petroleum products can clog soil, restricting water and airflow from reaching plant roots and causing drought-like conditions.
Contact an environmental professional offering underground storage tank services to address petroleum hydrocarbon soil contamination and prevent the above mentioned ecological and health issues.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements with high atomic weights and densities at least five times higher than water’s. These elements can be toxic to humans, even at very low concentrations. Some examples of common heavy metals that can contaminate soil near USTs are:
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Arsenic
USTs can cause heavy metals to enter the soil as the UST’s metal construction starts to break down due to extended exposure to moisture and soil acidity. Industrial processes like mining, manufacturing, or chemical production can also contaminate soil with heavy metals if byproducts are not adequately managed or disposed of.
By fueling long-term soil toxicity, heavy metals can present serious health hazards, including neurological impairment and cancer in extreme situations. It is essential to understand and manage soil contaminated with heavy metals to preserve the safety of everyone on the property.
VOCs
VOCs are compounds that easily vaporize into the air but do not dissolve in water well. Many VOCs are created by humans and used to create products like paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. Certain VOCs are suspected or proven carcinogens, meaning they can contribute to the development of cancer.
Breathing in VOC vapors can cause many other health effects as well. Some symptoms you may experience if you are exposed to VOCs are:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Headaches
- Loss of coordination
- Nausea
- Damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system
Paint thinners, dry cleaning agents, hydraulic fluids, and petroleum fuels are frequently made with VOCs, meaning they can be commonly found in USTs. Leaking USTs can contaminate soil with VOCs, polluting air and groundwater, where about 145 million Americans get their tap water.
VOCs must be promptly identified and cleaned up to avoid widespread health issues and environmental hazards. Tank decommissioning or removal is an excellent way to minimize the risk of VOCs contaminating soil.
Professional Underground Storage Tank Services
Alpha Environmental supports you with your underground storage tank, providing tank sweeps, tank decommisioning, UST removal, and more.
Steps to Take if Contamination Is Detected
Suppose you notice signs of soil contamination on your property, such as a lack of vegetation growth, unpleasant odors, or discolored soil. In that case, you should consult a qualified environmental professional to perform a residential tank sweep to locate any USTs on your property. Soil testing may also be required to determine which contaminants are on your land.
After surveying your property and thoroughly inspecting the issue, an environmental specialist may recommend solutions like removing USTs or excavation services to extract contaminated dirt. Each remediation process will look different because of the property’s layout, the type of contaminant, and the condition of the UST.
If you neglect to address contamination in a timely manner, you may be responsible for legal fines associated with breaking regulatory compliance. Plus, your property value can decrease due to potential buyers not wanting to take on the remediation tasks required to return your property to a safe, contaminant-free state.
How Alpha Environmental Services Can Help
Deteriorated or damaged underground storage tanks can feature fissures that release soil contaminants, endangering the property’s inhabitants and the surrounding environment. Oil tank leaks can sometimes contaminate soil with petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, or VOCs. Depending on the type of pollutant, exposure to contaminated soil can lead to bodily irritations, organ damage, or even cancer in severe situations. Prompt action is the best way to avoid legal fines and more extensive remediation efforts if contamination is detected.
Alpha Environmental is an expert-level environmental remediation company with substantial experience serving the people of Portland, Oregon, and surrounding areas. We take pride in helping our neighbors manage soil contamination and protect their property value. Our team also provides a variety of other offerings, including septic tank services, to reduce your risk of environmental hazards that can come from events like sewage backups. No matter the task, our skilled environmental team is dedicated to providing top-notch service that coincides with local regulations.
Contact Alpha Environmental today to schedule soil testing, a UST removal, or any other environmental services you may need.
