The Environment protection agency in Taiwan has been researching and investigating water and soil pollution around gas stations. Their investigation reveals that about 30 of the gas stations soil out of the four hundred examined have been contaminated with chemicals that exceed the limit of the standard. The examinations started back in 2001 and have continued into this present time. About 9 percent of all gas stations nationwide are contaminated some level and there is very little the government can do about the situation at the current moment.
The soil pollution was mainly caused by petroleum
hydrocarbons, while groundwater was mainly contaminated by the organic chemical
benzene. However, the
groundwater at the polluted sites are mostly used for tasks such as cleaning
cars and not for drinking, however the management board has stated, that
because of thick layers of cement, the harmful pollutants are unlikely to
vaporize into the air and affect health.
This is very pressing, if Taiwanese gas stations let off this
much pollution to the soil, I am wondering about our current state of
stations. This leads me to believe that the stations are not being updated
and renewed for safety of the citizens and environmental upkeep. Even
though the management board has said that the pollution is unlikely to affect
health, you can never be too sure about how they are conducting that research.
Too just assume that the health of others is safe because of a guess or a claim
is very unsafe and should be reconsidered.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/02/08/2003524972
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