Why the vacant lots where gas stations used to be?

Question

I already know why, they're waiting for mother nature to clean the pollution out of the soil there... but I want to know more.
I remember leaded gas. Is there any lead in the soil on these lots? They're always fenced.

Answer 1

The gas has many components in it, that will react with the soil, in anaerobic conditions, it is worse...
Nature can/t do it on its own, in a normal human lifetime,,,
The additives in gas are harmful to human health, and there are always such deposits due to operation, leakage, etc.
If constructed upon, ground water, air and possibly utility water will be adversely affected.
These are technically known as Brownfields - and need a EPA procedure to clean it, takes a long time and expensive.

Answer 2

I suspect there are a LOT of poisonous pollutants in the soil around old gas stations- not the least of which came from the corroding underground fuel tanks. Ma Nature is not going to be able to clean up those toxic lots any time soon. Sooner or later though, the value of the real-estate will go up enough so that it'll be worth cleaning them up. As usual, it's a matter of time & $$$. :)

Answer 3

Often the owner's of such properties don't or can't sell them because they would have to pay to remove any underground tanks, test the soil for pollutants, and remove any tainted soil before they can sell the land. That is why so many sit fenced off and vacant.

Answer 4

Some antiknock compounds in gasoline cause cancer, as well as some of the aromatic type of hydrocarbons that normally exist in gasoline.

Those old tanks tend to leak and the contents get into the water supply.

It was too expensive for many of the station owners to take out the old tank and put in the newer more expensive tanks, so they went out of business.

Around here I don't notice any fences.

Answer 5

The number of gasoline stations has decreased due to economic factors. It requires considerably more sales volume to support a station nowadays than it used to, because all operating costs are higher. This leads to consolidation, and a fewer number of stations selling at much higher volume.

Answer 6

even if it wasn't leaded or not if the ground has been contaminated it can't be used for anything until it has gone through decontamination. That can take up to 3 years once they start.

It's a long process, and no mother nature won't decontaminate it itself.

Answer 7

You are correct it is pollution and yes there is leaded gas there.◘