Old underground gas storage tanks put people at risk of exposure to benzene and other carcinogens. As these tanks deteriorate, they release their content into the ground, threatening to poison ground water, and drinking water wells.

According to a 2005 Sierra Club report, in 2005 the U.S. had 680,000 leaking underground storage tanks, with about 9,000 new leaks discovered annually. 

Fortunately the recent economic stimulus package includes $197,000 for storage tank cleanup. The funds are to be used for sites of unknown ownership, or where property owners are unwilling or unable to pay for the cleanup.

Margret Levin of the Sierra Club said:

"The longer that leaking tanks remain buried and aren’t cleaned up, the greater the chance of ground water contamination. The gasoline and oil from the tanks contain toxic substances such as benzene, toluene and heavy metals that can cause cancer and other health problems."

“The money that we’re getting won’t completely solve the problem, but it will help,” 

Long term exposure to even small amounts of benzene has been shown to reduce white blood cell counts, and has been linked to life threatening blood diseases and leukemias like, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

People living near old or even newer gas stations, or any buried gas or oil tanks, face possible water table or well contamination and should consider having their water tested for petrochemicals.

If you or a loved one have been wrongfully exposed to benzene, your best ally is a qualified benzene lawyer. Benzene lawyers are familiar with all the issues surrounding wrongful benzene exposure, and are equipped to go up against even the most powerful corporations in order to obtain compensation for victims. A reputable benzene lawyer will ask for no money unless they win your case. If there is any chance you’ve been exposed, you owe it to yourself to contact a benzene lawyer today.

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