According to ISNA, as part of the study, regular and premium (unleaded) gasoline samples were collected at random from different gas stations across the capital city and the results revealed alarming levels of sulfur, the company’s website reported.
It was found out that the quantity of this harmful chemical element in gasoline (regular and premium) on average was 180 parts per million, three times above the maximum sulfur content of 50 PPM set by the European Union.
The company added that the average sulfur content in premium gasoline samples was estimated at around 170 PPM. The figure was190 PPM for regular gasoline, Financial Tribune reported.
The study also analyzed diesel samples from several gas stations, which were also found to have very high levels of sulfur. Average sulfur content in the fuel amounted to 80 PPM, 60% above the acceptable level.
Close to 85 million liters of diesel is used in Iran on a daily basis.
Sulfur is a natural component in crude oil that is present in gasoline and diesel unless removed. Reducing sulfur content in gasoline enables advanced emission controls and reduces air pollution.
Tehran Air Quality Control Company, affiliated to Tehran Municipality, is in charge of monitoring air quality in the highly-polluted capital that is home to almost 13 million people and one of the most car-dependent cities in the world. The company publishes seasonal reports on fuel parameters and their impact on air pollution.