As part of a drive to protect the environment and curb air pollution, the Comprehensive Monitoring Office at the Department of Environment has reached a deal with the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company to regularly monitor the quality of Euro-4 diesel, director of the department said.
"Monitoring the amount of sulfur in Euro-4 diesel is of great importance, that's why DOE will check the index in 25% of gas stations every other week," Shina Ansari was also quoted as saying by ISNA.
According to the official, as per the agreement signed between DOE and NIORDC, the quality of diesel distributed nationwide since May 22 will be controlled all year round through random sampling.
"Some 393 gas stations are supplying Euro-4 compliant diesel, of which 100 will be monitored at random twice a month until the[fiscal] yearend [March 20, 2019]," Ansari said, adding that the sulfur level in the fuel should not exceed 50 parts-per-million, the maximum sulfur content set by the European Union
The official noted that sulfur is a natural component in crude oil that is present in gasoline and diesel unless removed. Reducing the sulfur content in gasoline enables advanced emission controls and reduces air pollution.
Asked about gasoline, she noted that the quality of the fuel sold at stations in megacities like Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz is assessed periodically, including levels of sulfur, benzene and octane number.
Reportedly, vehicles make up around 85% of air pollution in the capital and poor fuel quality plays a major role in worsening the problem.
To address the problem, the government has taken several measures over the past few years, including the distribution of Euro-4 quality gasoline in a number of metropolitan cities. Plans are in place to expand the sale of high-grade fuel to all Iranian cities within three years.
Carbureted motorbikes are also responsible for much of the pollution in Tehran. On average, each carbureted motorcycle produces five to six times more pollution than a vehicle observing the Euro-2 standards. This is while each motorcycle roams many times further across the streets of Tehran than a car.
