Residential releases of number 2 fuel oil: a contributor to indoor air pollution.
OBJECTIVE
Analysis of data from the New York City Fire Department showed that residential fuel oil releases frequently occur in quantities ranging from 5 to 1000 gal, primarily from storage tank leaks and overfill. A risk assessment was conducted to determine whether Number 2 fuel oil basement spills pose a significant risk to human health.


METHODS
Exposure was derived from a simulated field study spill of Number 2 fuel oil in a townhouse basement to develop emission rates for the indicator constituent xylene. Distribution of xylene throughout the townhouse was determined using a multizone contaminant dispersal model.


RESULTS
Spills of 85 and 21 gal resulted in xylene exposure estimates as high as 20 and 5 mg/kg/day, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
A spill of about 21 gal or more of Number 2 fuel oil would present a human health risk for central nervous and reproductive systems for 8 days or longer. Tank inspection and supervised delivery would provide effective prevention at minimal expense.
Kaplan
M B
MB
Division of Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY.
Brandt-Rauf
P
P
Axley
J W
JW
Shen
T T
TT
Sewell
G H
GH
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005648:Fuel Oils; D012306:Risk; D014992:Xylenes
D005648:Fuel Oils; D014992:Xylenes