NEBOSH Practice Test

In the event of a fuel storage tank failure, what is a major environmental concern?

1. Noise pollution from machinery

2. Oil contamination of ground

3. Increase in insect population

4. Dust from construction sites

The correct answer is: Oil contamination of ground

In the context of a fuel storage tank failure, oil contamination of the ground represents a significant environmental concern due to the potential for serious ecological harm and long-term impacts on soil and water quality. When a fuel tank breaches, it can release hydrocarbons directly into the environment, leading to contamination of the soil and potentially reaching groundwater sources. This contamination can adversely affect plant life, disrupt local ecosystems, and pose risks to human health, particularly if the contaminated groundwater is used for drinking water. Clean-up efforts can be extensive and expensive, and the long-term effects on the environment can be profound, making this an urgent issue that needs to be addressed immediately following such an incident. Other options, while relevant in their own contexts, do not pose the same level of immediate and lasting environmental threats as oil contamination.