MoversAtlas

This map feature displays facilities that have been contaminated by petroleum leakage. The leakage at these facilities may have contaminated the surrounding soil, surface water, or ground water. Unfortunately, the sites depicted in this map are quite common throughout Florida. Petroleum pollution commonly results from leaking underground storage tanks which supply fuel for gas stations and diesel electric generators.

What is petroleum?

Familiar products that fall under the petroleum umbrella include gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene (among others). Each of these petroleum products is actually composed of a mixture of individual hydrocarbons (hydrogen and carbon containing chemicals). For example, a typical gallon of gasoline contains around 150 different hydrocarbons. Exposure to hydrocarbons like those in gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene can cause a number of health problems since they affect many components of the human body. The nervous system, blood, immune system, lungs, liver, kidneys, skin and eyes can all be negatively affected by exposure to certain hydrocarbons. Additionally, at least one petroleum compound (benzene) is known to be carcinogenic to humans, and many others are suspected of causing cancer. We should note however, that the health effects resulting from being exposed to low levels of petroleum chemicals over long periods of time have not been precisely determined, nor has it conclusively been shown that gasoline exposure will cause cancer in humans.

The good news about petroleum contamination

While petroleum contamination is widespread in Florida, and exposure to its constituent chemicals is generally considered to be a risk factor for many health problems, there is some good news. The state maintains a petroleum contamination monitoring system and actively works to clean up polluted sites. So most of the sites you see on this map will eventually be cleaned up. The caveat to this good news is that the cleanup process can take a while and getting all the petroleum out of groundwater and surface water is next to impossible. So while sites ultimately end up cleaner than they were, they are never really restored to their "pristine" state.

How you can be exposed to petroleum

Exposure to the petroleum present at each site can occur through a number of means. If the groundwater has become polluted, exposure can occur through the well water that you drink (although this is unlikely unless you have an extremely shallow surface water well). People can also be exposed to petroleum chemicals by inhaling them or by absorbing them through the skin, although these avenues of exposure are less likely for most homeowners. In most cases you won't inhale a significant amount petroleum vapor just by living near a contamination site. Finally petroleum can be absorbed through the skin. As with inhalation, this is not a major concern for most homebuyers, since you would have to be digging through large volumes of contaminated soil on a frequent enough basis to absorb a significant amount of hydrocarbons. If you're uncomfortable with what you see on this map, you can get your well water tested for contaminants. The state certifies a great deal of laboratories to do this type of testing. To find a lab near you go here: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/labs/cgi-bin/aams/index.asp