Caracterização ambiental de posto de revenda de combustíveis sob a ótica de adequação ambiental: um caso em Mossoró-RN

Abstract

Sustainability is the primary focus of corporate management strategies. Filling stations in Brazil have implemented sustainable strategies, particularly in socioeconomic pillars. However, few empirical studies have discussed the challenges of environmentally adapting these facilities, given their potential to pollute and degrade, affecting mainly the soil, water and people. As such, the aim of this study was to characterize the environmental situation of a filling station in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, from the standpoint of adapting to current environmental regulations. The first step of the investigation involved a literature review of filling stations and environmental adaptation. Next, an exploratorydescriptive case study was carried out at one of the filling stations of the city, where the problem was more serious. A Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Norte checklist and field study were used to collect and analyze the environmental adaptation of the filling station. The results revealed that the station installed an overfill protection containment chamber in the fuel storage tanks, in order to avoid leaks. However, the environment was partially inadequate due to the inefficiency of the oil-water separator system, damage to contention chamber pumps and filters and unsuitable final destination for class 1 waste, considered dangerous to the environment and public health, especially nearby inhabitants. In addition, there is no continuous monitoring by the environmental licensing department. It is therefore recommended that interventions aimed at sustainability of the filling station be implemented by the licensing entity. The former should replace, maintain and/or purchase equipment that better adapts to the environmental conditions of the station, while it is suggested that the latter devise better monitoring and inspection strategies, in line with environmental and legal standards.