Blog

June 29, 2015

Dangers and Health Hazards of Underground Storage Tank

An underground storage tank (UST) is a lurking danger for the environment and inhabitants of a property. North America has a history of buried oil tanks that are now abandoned by the residents. They are no longer in use and pose a danger to the people occupying that area as well as the surroundings.

Earlier, fuel tanks or underground oil tanks played an essential role in the heat and energy supply to a home. They were in working condition and part of the energy consumption cycle of the property. However, USTs are no longer used in Canada or the USA. They are abandoned and have been reduced to a mere danger for the property and people due to their untimely disposal and lack of knowledge.

The municipality as well as the provincial government has time and again highlighted the dangers of an existing oil tank on the property. A buried or a hidden oil tank generally faces some common issues that can result in the damage of the land around that area along with the inhabitants and neighbors of the property that is contaminated.

Corrosion, Leakage and Oil Spill

One of the prime dangers of an underground storage tank is the corrosion of the surface of the oil tank. The corrosion process can result in a deep damage to the metal that can even lead to perforation or excessive damage. The contents of the oil tank can also get spilled out in such a case. Oil spill is a dangerous situation as its can damage the soil that it gets in contact with.

Oil Spill can be easily spotted if there is a corroding metal jar or container on the property. If you have a coffee jar tossed on the garden or backyard and it is getting corroded or blackened in quick time, it shows there is an oil spill or contamination of soil.

Oil tanks were earlier made of uncoated steel which got corroded easily. If you have come across a corroded oil tank on your property or you suspect one, you need to hire the services of a professional UST removal company for its proper removal and disposal.

Soil Contamination

Contamination is the most common resultant arising from an unattended oil tank. The oil tank, irrespective of any damage to it or not, can have oil spill or leakage. Soil gets contaminated from underground storage tanks and the vegetation on the ground is damaged. Animals feeding on such vegetation are also greatly affected. Similarly, health of the inhabitants of the property is also at risk in such a situation.

A professional oil tank removal company uses high-end technology to detect the presence of an oil tank, remove it diligently and dispose it off at a treatment unit or through an environmentally friendly procedure.

Soil testing and land remediation are also important aspects of oil tank removal. An environmental specialist ensures that the soil is contamination free and if there is any amount of contamination, then land remediation techniques are followed for resolving the issue.