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‘Green fuel’ plans could backfire

By Kurt Sansone

The government’s well-meaning intentions to replace leaded petrol with an alternative fuel could lead to a health and environmental catastrophe unless legislation is introduced obliging motorists to fit their cars with a catalytic converter. Scientific studies confirm that cars run on unleaded petrol and not using a catalytic converter cause more harm to the environment.

Professor Edward Mallia from the Faculty of Science at the University of Malta told MaltaToday that unleaded petrol and LRP contain high levels of benzene, which is a cancer causing substance. Benzene and similar ‘aromatic’ substances are used to replace the lead content found in ‘normal’ petrol.

Enemalta will not distribute leaded petrol after 1 January, 2003. The corporation plans to distribute lead replacement petrol, LRP, which is a readily available mix of unleaded petrol and an additive. Asked by MaltaToday, Enemalta could not identify the type of additive because discussions are still underway with prospective suppliers.

The plan to phase out ‘normal’ petrol aims to reduce the airborne lead that is emitted when petrol is burnt. Lead is a toxic substance that does not degrade and can find its way into the human blood stream.

It is considered to be a brain poison.

However, Prof. Mallia added, "Lead will only be replaced by carcinogenic substances such as, benzene and toluene unless cars are fitted with catalytic converters, which help to filter the exhaust fumes."

The decision by government to withdraw leaded petrol from the market is in line with EU directives, which oblige member states to phase out leaded petrol. The directives also require car manufacturers to produce cars that use unleaded petrol.

Prof. Mallia remarked that when the EU declared January 2000 as the cut off date for leaded petrol it also specified the benzene levels to be found in unleaded fuel. "In typical Maltese style the measure announced in this year’s budget says nothing about benzene levels. Furthermore, motorists are not aware of the consequences of using either unleaded petrol or LRP without a catalytic converter."

The withdrawal of leaded petrol from the market has raised motorists’ concern because of potential engine trouble that may result from the fuel change. This is a legitimate concern but few people realise the greater cost such a change will have on their health and the environment.

Prof. Mallia explained that most cars manufactured after 1993, especially of European origin, come with catalytic converters. In such cases motorists could only use unleaded petrol because ‘normal’ petrol would damage the converter and subsequently the engine. This category of cars is not affected by the fuel change. Prof. Mallia expressed his concern, though, that some Maltese car dealers and importers might have removed catalytic converters from these cars to offer buyers a slightly reduced price.

There is another category of cars, predominantly manufactured between 1985 and 1993, that currently run on leaded petrol and should find the new fuel mix a suitable alternative. But the lack of a catalytic converter remains a veritable problem.

The third category of cars, those manufactured prior to 1985, are the most problematic. According to Prof. Mallia, these cars will not be able to run on the new fuel mix and owners will most probably have to scrap their cars and buy new ones.

"Unfortunately the budget said nothing about these cars, which are not so few in Malta. Owners will have to buy new vehicles or else make expensive changes to their car engine, which may cost something in the range of Lm400."

MaltaToday asked Enemalta whether the exhaust fumes from cars that do not have catalytic converters and utilise LRP will contain carcinogenic substances but the reply was unrelated to the question asked.

‘LRP was introduced to replace leaded petrol, as the lead in petrol is harmful to health. No lead is emitted in the exhaust gases when LRP is used in cars,’ the reply stated.

Green Party deputy chairman, Mario Mallia, expressed his concern that the budget measure to phase out petrol and reduce the price of unleaded petrol was a half-baked one.

"The reduction in the price of unleaded petrol was a positive move but we must not give the impression that unleaded petrol is an environmentally friendly fuel. It is ‘safe’ only when used in conjunction with a catalytic converter," he told MaltaToday.

Mr Mallia added that government should oblige car importers to install catalytic converters on cars. "Unless legislation is introduced to impose such a measure it will not be adhered to. Today it is normal practice to wear a seat belt in a car or a crash helmet while riding a motorcycle, but this would not have come about had government not passed laws to oblige motorists to comply. After all we are speaking about our health and the health of our children," he stressed.

A University study carried out last year by Professor Alfred Vella showed that in some roads where heavy traffic is concentrated, the benzene levels were above acceptable levels. But the gravest revelation was the level of benzene in the Santa Venera tunnels before the early morning traffic rush. The levels of benzene were found to be quite ‘horrific’ in the words of Prof. Edward Mallia.

The situation is even more alarming when one considers the high cancer rates in Malta and the ever-increasing car density. A half-baked solution will do nothing to reduce the negative effects of the prevailing car culture.

Unleaded petrol facts

Unleaded petrol contains the chemical substances benzene, toluene, xylene and dimethylbenzene to replace lead. Some of these substances, also known as aromatics, are declared carcinogens and others are suspected carcinogens. A carcinogen is a substance that can cause cancer.

It is harmful for somebody to inhale unleaded petrol fumes and if they come in contact with the skin they should be washed off immediately. Petrol pump attendants are also prone to the hazard because of the fumes that emanate when a car is refuelled. In Switzerland it is compulsory for every petrol pump to be fitted with a vapour hood to prevent the fumes from reaching the atmosphere.

Catalytic converters are attached to the tail end of the exhaust pipe and they help convert nitric oxides and carbon monoxides into safer gases and the harmful benzene is broken up to reduce its negative affect.

However, it must be noted that catalytic converters become fully operational when they heat up to around 400 degrees celsius, which is normally reached after the engine has been running for 10 minutes. Furthermore, catalytic converters must be serviced after every 50,000km of mileage to ensure they are still functioning efficiently.

In most European Union countries leaded petrol has been phased out and can only be found in Italy, Greece, Portugal and Belgium. Australia expects to phase out leaded petrol by next year.