Fuel Tank Safety

From the Department of the Environment, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne:

Now that the cold weather is upon us, it would be an excellent time to take extra care in ensuring your furnaces and fuel storage tanks are at the utmost working condition so that your health and safety and that of your families, are protected.

We have been experiencing fuel spills due to failing storage tanks. Not only does this pose danger to the health and safety of you and your family, but clean up is costly and the effects to the environment are devastating.

Spilled fuel from oil tanks enters the ground and can make its way to water sources. The soil containing fuel must be taken away then replaced with clean fill. Any remaining fuel in the tank has to be removed by your fuel provider. This will be a much greater expense to homeowners than if preventive maintenance were practiced. It should become common practice for the homeowner and fuel supplier to inspect the fuel storage tanks periodically.

In some cases, fuel spillage has occurred in basements, putting people in grave danger. You will have to leave the home until clean-up is complete and fumes are at a minimal level as not to cause harm. Depending on the extent of the spill, you may be required to stay away from your home for an extended length of time. When fuel spills, fumes are released that puts you and your family’s health at risk.

Seniors, children and people with asthma will experience respiratory problems. Irritation to your eyes and breathing difficulties will occur. Studies show that breathing vapor from fuel oil no. 1 for as short as one hour may make you feel nauseous, irritate skin and eyes, or affect the nervous system. Some other effects include headache, light-headedness, loss of appetite, poor coordination, and difficulty concentrating. Breathing diesel fuel vapors for a long time may damage kidneys, increase blood pressure, or lower the blood’s ability to clot. People with open cuts or recently healed wounds should be careful to stay away from fuel oil.

It is the responsibility of every homeowner to visually check fuel storage tanks. If you notice any leakage at connection joints and/or smell fuel, you should contact your fuel provider so they can assess whether or not your tank requires replacement or repair. If there is a significant amount of fuel spilled, you and your family should leave the home immediately and contact the fire department. The air will be monitored by environmental personnel to ensure levels are low enough for the family to return to their home.

Stay safe this coming season and remember that a healthy community depends on a healthy environment.