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They claim the move is necessary to limit vapour emissions to protect the environment and prevent people breathing in harmful chemicals. Fuel dispensers would have to be fitted with Stage II petrol vapour recovery technology, which can collect 85% or more of the fumes.
Service stations underneath residential accommodation
and those that sell more than 3,000 cubic metres of petrol a year would
have to fit the technology. New or refurbished fuel service stations selling more than 500 cubic metres would also be affected.
As many as 1,800 British fuel service stations are required to fit the dispensers, although many have switched already. The total cost of the refits is likely to reach £80million.
A Defra spokesman said: “Most of the petrol
stations already have the equipment installed. It won’t affect smaller
stations as they don’t sell enough petrol and it is unlikely to have an
impact on prices.”
Stage II PVR equipment is already in use at service stations across about half of the European Union.
According to EU figures, air pollution is
estimated to cause the premature deaths of almost 370,000 people each
year and reduces average life expectancy by nine months.
PETROLWORLD 28/08/2011 Source: Express
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