CFDC Commends EPA For Toxics Progress, Urges More Focus on Mobile Sources

Source: CLean Fuels Development Coalition • Posted: Friday, September 5, 2014

September 3, 2014:  Washington, D.C.  The Clean Fuels Development Coalition today called the recent report by the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a positive development with regard to air toxics but urged that mobile source emissions from gasoline be recognized as a threat that may be getting worse.

EPA’s report to Congress, which is required under the Clean Air Act, states the nation has reduced benzene, mercury, lead, and other hazardous air pollutants from both stationary and mobile sources.  According to EPA, the majority of the mobile sources are diesel.  However, according to analysis of studies and original research conducted by the non-profit Urban Air Initiative, gasoline emissions dominate over diesel and stationary sources in urban areas.  And, gasoline aromatic compounds are the predominant precursors to a range of pollution issues with aerosols, particulates, and carbon all interacting to increase ozone and urban smog.

In releasing the report, EPA notes that  “Air toxics, also referred to as hazardous air pollutants, or HAPs, are known or suspected of causing cancer and can damage the immune, respiratory, neurological, reproductive, and developmental systems.”

“Conventional models used by EPA substantially under-predict toxics from gasoline aromatics which has been proven by real time measurements in US metropolitan areas and cities around the globe”, said CFDC Executive Director Douglas Durante.

“We are encouraged by EPAs recognition of the importance of focusing on toxics.  In their statements accompanying the release of the report they acknowledge they continue to improve their understanding of toxics and we hope we and others in this field can work with them to that end” he said.

“As far back as the 2007 Mobile Source Air Toxics  (MSAT) review, EPA acknowledged that alternatives like ethanol were available as an excellent source of “clean octane”.  With national policy objectives of reducing oil imports, lowering carbon emissions, and protecting public health, renewable ethanol is a good fit” said Durante.

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