Living near a petrol station is ‘bad for your health’ as fuel pollutants found to travel 100m, this can lead to health hazard. The rate at which petrol filling stations are now competing with residential buildings in Okene metropolis need urgent attention by the state government and the local government.
Building petrol stations near residential buildings have health hazards, the air in the immediate vicinity is often polluted with airborne particles from evaporated fuel which is harmful to residents. Researchers have said that pollution from petrol stations could contaminate buildings as far as 100 meters away. They said a minimum distance of 50 meters should be maintained between petrol stations and residential buildings, and 100m from vulnerable facilities like hospitals, health care centres, maternity homes, schools and old people’s homes. Even though petrol stations follow modern health and safety guidelines, it is not a good idea to locate it close to residential buildings for many health reasons including several health concerns that may arise.
In Okene, sadly, we don’t take such issues seriously and there are houses constructed right next to petrol pumps, despite the warning that it exposes people to several diseases like: Lung, Brain and Kidney damage.
The desire to make high profits has been the major factor encouraging the location of the filling stations in those areas.
It was discovered that a great number of filling stations are competing with residential buildings; especially “Petro Just and Always”.
Sadly, those who are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that structures are erected in line with town planning regulations, are yet to come up with convincing explanations on the increasing number of these stations at inappropriate locations.
Curiously, some of these stations do not have fire fighting equipment, should there be fire out break.
However, no place on earth can be marked as absolutely safe but a certain distance away from filling stations is compulsory.
So, with this little analysis I urged the state government under our able son to look into the matter and who ever is planning to build Filling Station opposite Okene Police Divisional Office to think about another business structure.
Enough of Filling Stations within Okene metropolis, there are other business sector that can generate close to what one can earn out of petrol station and even generate more employment opportunities. Business like toilet papers or tooth pick company is needed here to accommodate more of our jobless youth like me.
– Adabara Jelil El-Okene
