Vol. 396 No. 1
26 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Energy if his Department has formulated any policy with regard to the removal of carcinogenic hydrocarbons, for example benzene, from unleaded petrol; if any approaches have been made to the petrochemical industry on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department are actively involved in discussions at EC level regarding the level of benzene in petrol. The existing EC limit is 5 per cent. Petrol from the Whitegate Refinery meets this standard.
The EC are currently carrying out studies on the health implications of benzene in petrol and further action can be expected when these studies have been concluded.
I favour a Community-wide approach to the establishment of acceptable standards for benzene and other health damaging hydrocarbons in petrol. We, in Ireland, will take a positive approach to any reasonable proposals brought forward by the Commission in this area.
