Analyzing the amount of sulfur in Euro-4 diesel taken from 364 filling stations in 2018 indicated that only 40% of the fuel sold in the country complies with international standards, director of the Comprehensive Monitoring Office of the Department of Environment said.
"Sulfur level in fuel should not exceed 50 parts-per-million – the level set by the European Union," Shina Ansari was quoted as saying by ISNA.
Sulfur levels in 45% of the samples were between 50 ppm and 250 ppm, labeled as "unhealthy" and in 15% of the cases it exceeded 250 ppm that is labeled as "hazardous", she said.
As part of a drive to protect the environment and curb air pollution, the DOE signed a deal with the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company in 2018 to undertake systematic control of Euro-4 diesel quality.
Checking the amount of sulfur in diesel is important and the DOE has tested the index in almost 25% of intercity gas stations randomly sampling every other week over the past 12 months, Ansari noted.
More than 393 gas stations sell Euro-4 compliant diesel.
The official noted that sulfur is a natural component in crude oil that is also present in gasoline and diesel unless removed. Reducing sulfur content in gasoline contributes to advanced emission controls and reduces air pollution.
Asked about gasoline controls, the DOE official said quality of fuel sold in megacities like Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz is assessed periodically, including levels of sulfur, benzene and octane number.
Vehicles are reportedly responsible for 85% of air pollution in the sprawling capital and poor fuel quality plays a critical role in the worsening pollution problem that is cutting short lives in the bigger cities and undermining the economy.
