The Impact of Underground Storage Tanks on Public Health in Montclair Township, NJ
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Gregory Pope
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 2:15 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:15 PM
Description
Leaking underground storage tanks pose a threat to human health and Montclair Township is no exception. The region is home to many underground storage tanks storing a variety of hazardous materials, like petroleum, gasoline, and diesel. The dispersal of these materials into soil can lead to the creation of toluene and benzene, two chemicals that can cause health complications like chronic headaches, fatigue, nausea, increased rates of leukemia, liver and kidney diseases, and depression of the central nervous system. Despite guidelines to limit leaking, it is often overlooked due to how difficult it is to detect. My research seeks to determine if residents of Montclair Township exhibit the health effects commonly associated with exposure to the materials found in underground storage tanks. The use of an online survey will collect the health information of residents living near underground storage tanks and residents who do not. The only demographic information collected will be age and if they live in Upper Montclair or along Bloomfield Ave. The data will be aggregated to show any correlation between the mentioned health conditions and proximity to underground storage tanks. This research and analysis are not yet complete. However, I expect to find that residents of Montclair Township living near underground storage tanks will be more likely to exhibit the health conditions mentioned previously than residents who do not live near underground storage tanks.
The Impact of Underground Storage Tanks on Public Health in Montclair Township, NJ
Leaking underground storage tanks pose a threat to human health and Montclair Township is no exception. The region is home to many underground storage tanks storing a variety of hazardous materials, like petroleum, gasoline, and diesel. The dispersal of these materials into soil can lead to the creation of toluene and benzene, two chemicals that can cause health complications like chronic headaches, fatigue, nausea, increased rates of leukemia, liver and kidney diseases, and depression of the central nervous system. Despite guidelines to limit leaking, it is often overlooked due to how difficult it is to detect. My research seeks to determine if residents of Montclair Township exhibit the health effects commonly associated with exposure to the materials found in underground storage tanks. The use of an online survey will collect the health information of residents living near underground storage tanks and residents who do not. The only demographic information collected will be age and if they live in Upper Montclair or along Bloomfield Ave. The data will be aggregated to show any correlation between the mentioned health conditions and proximity to underground storage tanks. This research and analysis are not yet complete. However, I expect to find that residents of Montclair Township living near underground storage tanks will be more likely to exhibit the health conditions mentioned previously than residents who do not live near underground storage tanks.