Nexus - 0227 - New Times Magazine-pages

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The Lies of Unleaded Petrol With alarming evidence emerging on toxic emissions from petroleum and catalytic converters, surely it's time we seriously considered some new energy alternatives. Part 3 n regard to additives in our petrol, the main question that needs to be asked is: "Why was all the fuss made about one toxic substance—lead—in our petrol, when the sub- stances that have replaced it—benzene, other aromatics and olefines—appear to be more toxic?’ It seems to me that if the genuine reason for taking lead out of petrol was for health reasons, efforts would have been made to ensure that what was used as a substitute was safer. There was little, if any, coverage at the time about what would be used instead of lead. In fact, petroleum companies, in Australia at least, don't even have to disclose the formulae they use to make up the petrol. Note that catalytic converters would quickly become useless if lead were in the petrol. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen. Many medical studies have proved this to be the case. For example, Prof. Bill McCarthy, Executive Director of the Sydney Melanoma Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, is extremely concerned about the benzene levels in Sydney's centre and under aeroplane flight paths.' Dr Michael Dawson and Noel Child have taken benzene levels in Sydney and shown they are extremely high. Average levels were at 4.1 parts per billion (ppb) in summer and 7.6 ppb in winter, peaking at 12 ppb and 25 ppb respectively. Toluene levels were much higher.? Other cities around the world also show high levels. Britain has adopted a maximum of 5 ppb, with a national target to decrease levels below 1 ppb. Benzene levels in fuels are around 2-3% (see tables in Part 2), but total aromatics are between 20-40%. It is important to realise that when these aromatics are combusted, a large percentage comes out in the exhaust as benzene—so the levels of benzene would be much higher than first expected. Many other aromatic substances also exist in exhaust gases, but all their effects, as well as human tolerance levels, have not been fully researched. Prof. Maltoni of Italy has directed studies researching the biological effects of benzene and many other substances from vehicle emissions. No studies have been done in Australia even to try to determine the total composition of exhausts. One study, directed by Peter Anyon of the Federal Office of Road Safety’, is analysing exhausts from 600 cars in order to find quick, cheap exhaust-monitoring methods and to determine whether subsequent appropriate mechanical work will reduce emissions. Initially the study was testing only for substances that are well known as problematic, ie., listed in the Australian Design Rules as dangerous. These are total hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide. But last year, when it became more well-known that benzene was a problem, an extension was added to the study to measure seven speciated hydrocarbon levels in 50 of the vehicles being tested. These include benzene, xylenes (three species), toluene, and 1,3-butadiene. It's a start. Dr Hans Nieper reports on a new exhaust substance apparently produced in the catalytic converter, the consequences of which are quite shocking (see pages 21-22), What other reactions are occurring in catalytic converters that we don't know about? Are there any other dangerous exhaust gases whose effects we are yet to discover or fully realise? An important product of the combustion of olefines is 1,3-butadiene, another substance that scientists have only recently discovered to be highly toxic. Much more research is needed here. One other key aspect of all this is that the lead levels in leaded petrol have also been reduced. In fact, the benzene and total aromatics levels in leaded and standard unleaded petrol are virtually the same in many countries. The additional lead content is the only major difference between standard ULP and leaded petrol. The levels of benzene and other aromatics in premium unleaded fuel are extremely high—so I would urge people never to use this fuel. new energy alternatives. by Catherine Simons, B.Sc. NEXUS Magazine PO Box 30 Mapleton, Qld 4560, Australia Phone: +61 (074) 42 9280 Fax: +61 (074) 42 9381 by Catherine Simons, B.Sc. NEXUS Magazine PO Box 30 Mapleton, Qld 4560, Australia Phone: +61 (074) 42 9280 Fax: +61 (074) 42 9381 NEXUS ¢ 19 AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 1995