Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 7
By Rahim Zamanov - Trend:
Iran plans to turn to high-quality and standardized gasoline in order to reduce the capital's constantly increasing air pollution, the IRNA News Agency reported on January 6.
The managing director of National Iranian Oil Refining & Distribution Company, Abbas Kazemi, said on January 6 that in 2 years, Tehran's gas stations will only distribute gasoline conforming to Euro-5 standard.
Iran currently distributes 13 million liters of gasoline conforming to Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards in big cities including Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and Arak.
The figure is 17 million liters less than the amount that Iran's previous administration used to claim.
According to Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, Iran currently imports some gasoline and octane boosters.
The Mehr News Agency reported on December 25 that Iranian environment officials have urged the oil ministry to import high-quality and standardized gasoline because air pollution has reached an alarming level in big cities.
Moreover, it has been announced that all the cars should meet Euro-4 standards by the end of spring of next year.
Last year, according to PSI (Pollutant Standards Index), Iran had 147 days during which air quality was substandard. Two years ago, this number stood at 217 days.
The air over Iran's capital, Tehran, is among the most polluted in the world. Experts say many Iranians suffer serious health problems as a result.
Motor vehicles account for 70 percent of pollution in the Iranian capital. Low quality gasoline and diesel is partially responsible for the problem.
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