Keep tab on pollution, oil firms told

In a series of measures to check air pollution at petrol pumps, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has directed all the oil companies to ensure installation of vapour recovery system at all the 700-odd fuel stations by March 1 in the national capital. The board has also directed the fuelling stations to take steps for installation of remote sensor-based pollution under control systems by May.

In its order, the panel also directed the oil companies to formulate an action plan to control decongestion of fuel stations, including increasing number of dispensing machines. The companies have been ordered to prepare the action plan to check adulteration of fuel and random monitoring of fuel quality data. They have also been directed to prepare an action plan for transport operating on CNG in the city.

Experts say that petrol contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate in fuel tanks. During unloading petrol to underground storage tank and refuelling of vehicles, petrol vapour is released to atmosphere. VOCs from petrol vapour enhance the formation of ozone and fine particulates in the atmosphere, thus causing smog. VOCs from petrol vapour contain benzene (a carcinogen), thus presenting a potential health risk to the public.

Smell of VOCs can also be a nuisance to people nearby. Petrol filling stations are now required to install a system to recover petrol vapour emitted during unloading of petrol into the underground storage tanks. Special features of vapour recovery nozzle are that it has holes to suck petrol vapour back to underground storage tank. It also has vapour guard to prevent vapour release.

The DPCC order said: “Whereas ambient air quality in Delhi is poor and pollution levels are way above the prescribed norms for various parameters of ambient air as levels of Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009. And whereas serious concerns have been expressed by the Supreme Court and the Delhi high court and the National Green Tribunal in the matter from time to time and specific directions have been issued.”