Newsroom
All News Releases By Date
NEW TOXICS EMISSION STANDARDS SET FOR GASOLINE
Release Date: 12/21/2000
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, DEC. 21, 2000
NEW TOXICS EMISSION STANDARDS SET FOR GASOLINE
New toxics emission performance requirements are being set for conventional gasoline and cleaner-burning reformulated gasoline. Under these new requirements, refiners must maintain their average 1998-2000 toxics performance levels, which are better than what regulations require, for benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and POM, identified as “toxic air pollutants”. All five of these air toxics are known or probable human carcinogens. Levels of air toxics from mobile sources are decreasing as a result of EPA’s clean air programs that have produced cleaner cars and cleaner burning gasoline. For example, benzene levels in urban areas have decreased nationwide by almost 40 percent between 1993 and 1998. This trend is expected to continue because of more stringent standards for cars and light- and heavy-duty trucks and cleaner diesel fuel. This rule helps to ensure that the positive steps already taken to reduce mobile source air toxics will continue. Because motor vehicles emit a variety of toxic air pollutants, EPA will begin in 2003 to re-evaluate emissions of these pollutants to ensure adequate protection of public health and the environment. Additional information on this proposal and other transportation and air quality issues is available at: www.epa.gov/otaq/toxics.htm.
R-195 ###
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.
