LUST (Leaking Underground Storage Tank)
Acronym for Leaking Underground Storage Tank — a UST with confirmed or suspected releases of petroleum or hazardous substances.
LUST stands for Leaking Underground Storage Tank, referring to any underground storage tank system that has had a confirmed or suspected release of stored petroleum products or hazardous substances into the surrounding environment. The term is used extensively by the EPA and state regulatory agencies to classify contaminated UST sites requiring investigation and cleanup.
The EPA maintains a national database of over 510,000 documented LUST releases. Each release is classified as either 'Open' (requiring ongoing investigation or remediation) or 'Closed' (cleanup completed to regulatory standards). Approximately 53,000 LUST releases remain open nationwide, representing ongoing environmental and public health concerns.
LUST sites are a primary concern in commercial real estate transactions, as contamination can create significant financial liability for property owners. Phase I Environmental Site Assessments routinely screen for nearby LUST sites using databases like UST Map to evaluate environmental risk.
Related Terms
A UST that has confirmed or suspected releases of petroleum or hazardous substances into the environment.
LUST ReleaseA documented incident where petroleum or hazardous substances have escaped from an underground storage tank system.
Corrective ActionThe investigation and cleanup activities required when a release from an underground storage tank is confirmed.
RemediationThe process of cleaning up contaminated soil, groundwater, or other environmental media at a LUST or hazardous waste site.