Cleaner Air Through Cleaner Gasoline

OTTAWA, December 31, 2004 – Canadians will have a happy new year, thanks in part to cleaner gasoline. Starting on January 1, 2005, new regulatory measures come into effect, which will reduce sulphur levels in gasoline by 90% from 1998 levels.

"Low sulphur gasoline means cleaner air for all Canadians" declared the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment. "The Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations will help protect the health of Canadians, particularly children and the elderly who suffer from respiratory problems due to air pollution."

It is estimated that the reduced air pollution from lower sulphur gasoline and diesel will result in one to two fewer Canadians dying prematurely each week. As well, about ten fewer children would suffer from respiratory illness each day, and about a thousand fewer Canadians would suffer from other health effects every day. Those are the consensus findings by an independent panel of health experts in 1997.

Sulphur occurs naturally in petroleum products and causes increased emissions of sulphur dioxide and sulphate particles, both of which contribute to air pollution. Sulphur also decreases the efficiency of emission control systems in vehicles, resulting in higher emissions of other pollutants such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds.

In 1998, the Government announced its intention to regulate sulphur concentrations in gasoline. The following year, it passed the Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The limits under the regulations were phased in to help the refining industry adjust to the new requirements. The final limits come into effect on January 1, 2005.

Regulations are also in place for low sulphur diesel fuel for buses and other on-road transport. The limit of 15 part per million for sulphur in diesel must be reached by June 2006, a 95 percent reduction from levels in 2000.

"Motor vehicles continue to be a major source of Canada's air pollution, particularly in major urban centers" said Minister Dion. "As air pollution has no borders, all Canadians are affected" he added.

These regulations fit into the overall objective of the Government's Clean Air Agenda and the messages from the most recent Speech from the Throne.

Other Government of Canada initiatives to address clean air include regulations to limit benzene in gasoline. As well, regulations are in place or planned for cleaner low emission on-road and off-road new vehicles and small engines including motorcycles, SUVs and tractors. The Government of Canada is also working with provinces through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to adopt a Canada-wide standard for mercury emissions from coal fired power plants.

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