MCU15/0095 & REC15/0022 PM Submission Object - Jon Rice Gemmell

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Numerous studies have cited the increased incidences of cancers linked to benzene exposure, a
major constituant of petrol. A service station within close proximity of a school environment will serve
to increase this risk as children are within this area on a daily basis for a period of approximately 200
school days. It is of particular concern when considering the location of the service station to that of
the school gym and the swimming pool - both areas of high use by not only school students but also
of the public before, during and after school hours.

The World Health Organisation (2010) in an article Preventing disease through healthy environments
- Exposure to benzene: A major public health concern cites that "Human exposure to benzene has
been associated with a range of acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including
cancer and aplastic anaemia. Exposure can occur occupationally and domestically as a result of the
ubiquitous use of benzene-containing petroleum products, including motor fuels and solvents." A
service station located in this area will only serve to contribute to all students, staff and families
having increases exposure to a variety of carcinogenic chemicals on a daily basis.

Brender, Maantay and Chakraborty (2011) in their study Residential Proximity to Environmental
Hazards and Adverse Health Outcomes identified that an "increased risk of childhood leukemia was
found with residential addresses near gas stations" and that "populations living close to
environmental hazards appear more likely to have adverse health outcomes" Other research also
backs these claims by citing that "benzene has long been known to be a human carcinogen, with the
strongest evidence linking it with Iymphohaematopoietic cancers, particularly acute non-lymphocytic
leukaemia. (Duarte-Davidson, 2001)

The Agency for Toxic Substance and Diseases Registry (ATSDR) released a public health statement
in August 2007 stating, "Benzene is a major component of gasoline and used in many manufacturing
processes. Increased levels of benzene can be found at fueling stations, and in air emissions from
manufacturing plants and hazardous waste sites. living near gasoline fueling stations or
hazardous waste sites may increase exposure to benzene. People are advised not to have
their families play near fueling stations, manufacturing plants, or hazardous waste sites."

A study conducted in Greece by Karakitsios et al. (2007) indicated that "people in the vicinity of gas
stations have an increased risk of cancer from 3 to 21%." (Correa et ai, 2012)

Students situated at the school do not have the choice to move in and out of this environment as
does a motorist who visits a service station to refuel for a period of 5 minutes. Students are within
this area for a minimum of 6 hours per day, maximising exposure to fuel vapours from the service
station.

Each of these studies form the same conclusion that the location of a service station within the direct
proximity of populated areas will, despite extra measures to contain vapour release, have potential
impacts on people, in particular students, who are continually exposed to a cocktail of chemicals.

The siting of a petrol station next a school goes directly against all logic and I implore all councillors
to consider the long term health of all members of the public who will be directly and continually
exposed to the consequences of this development. I am firmly opposed to this type of development
on this site.




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