31 paise extra is mere pittance to pay against Rs 2-3 lakhs that is spent on an average on cancer treatment per person in Delhi. Benzene is one of the most lethal carcinogens in Delhi’s air and according to the WHO there is no safe level for benzene. While CSE welcomes lowering of benzene to below 1 per cent level it is appalled at the reported level of the total aromatics in petrol which is as high as 48-52 per cent against the worlds’ best of 25 per cent. If aromatic level is not capped along with benzene levels then the benzene emissions will continue to remain a problem as the benzene emissions from other aromatics in petrol can still be very high.

New Delhi November 6, 2000: The grouse that petrol prices have increased on account of benzene control in petrol is uncalled for as this is a small price to pay for pollution abatement measures compared to the health cost of growing environmental toxicity and increasing cancer incidence. Benzene has been classified as a definite human carcinogen by the World Health Organisation that triggers leukemia in humans. According to the National Cancer Registry Programme one out of every 10 to 15 persons living in Delhi is like to get cancer during lifetime. Centre for Science and Environment urges the government that petrol with 1 per cent benzene should be phased in not just in the National Capital Region but in the rest of the country as soon as possible to protect public health.

However, the government does not win any medal for taking piece-meal approach towards improving fuel quality as their strategy focuses only on one parameter at a time ignoring others and thus nullifying gains of any small progress. The fuel quality managers in India have completely ignored the need for controlling the levels of total aromatics in unleaded petrol that also increases when lead is knocked out of the petrol. The level of total aromatics in petrol is as high as 48-52 per cent.

Even if the benzene content is controlled at or is lowered below 1 per cent, benzene emissions will still be high as the combustion of other aromatics like toluene and xylene present in petrol also produces benzene. Therefore, worldwide efforts are on to lower both benzene and total aromatics in petrol at the same time. Limiting total aromatics and benzene must be factored into any petrol reformulation programme. WHO estimates that if total aromatic is reduced from 45 per cent to 20 per cent benzene emissions can be reduced by yet another 42 per cent. Keeping in view the growing cancer incidence in our metros it is absolutely urgent that government draws up a composite fuel quality improvement programme. The government must also rationalise fuel prices so that dirtier fuels like diesel are more expensive and revenue from it can be used for fuel quality improvement strategies.