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Several gasoline pumps were shutdown
as a result of a DEP inspection? Why were they shutdown
and should I be concerned about a potential health
impact?
The New Jersey Administrative
Code (NJAC 7:14B-1 et seq.) that regulates the operation
of Underground Storage Tank (UST) systems prohibits
a person or business from introducing gasoline (or
other hazardous substances) into an UST system that
is not properly registered, or is known or suspected
to be leaking or discharging gasoline (or other
hazardous substances).
An UST system is comprised of
the tank, all lines to and from the tank, the product
dispenser (pump) and any containment system.
When NJDEP inspectors find either
of those two situations, the Department will effect
a delivery ban for each UST system determined to
meet those criteria. That means that no further
deliveries can be made to the UST system(s) in question
until the tank is properly registered, or until
the known/suspected leak/discharge is investigated
and remedied if indeed the UST system was leaking/discharging.
In the case of a known
or suspected leak/discharge, the owner/operator
must perform an immediate investigation to determine
if a release has occurred. If a release is confirmed
the source and extent of the release must be determined
in order to craft a cleanup plan. It is during that
phase, when the source and extent of a release is
determined, when the potential for human impacts
will be determined. In an urban setting such as
the City of Paterson, the primary concern is the
movement of fuel vapors into subsurface structures
such as basements, sewers and other utility structures.
This situation poses a clear safety concern and
could have a detrimental effect on one’s health
if unabated.
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