The US government is introducing new fuel and vehicle engine standards in a bid to reduce the amount of cancer-causing benzene and other harmful gases that are emitted from cars.

The regulations, brought in by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following pressure from environmental groups, will come into force from 2010.

They will aim to cut toxic emissions of benzene and other pollutants from cars by as much as 80 per cent over the next 20 years.

The new standards will require that all gasoline contains no more than 0.62 per cent benzene, down from the current limit of one per cent, by 2011. From 2010 onwards they will also demand that cars started up at cold temperatures emit fewer harmful pollutants.

By 2030 when the standards are fully implemented the EPA hopes to have reduced harmful emissions by some 330,000 tonnes. This figure includes 61,000 tonnes of benzene, which is known to cause cancer.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd