New OR Law Hopes to Decrease Benzene Emissions
According to reports, a new law was recently passed in the state of Oregon regarding ‘topping off” while at the gas station. The new law was approved this past December and will go into effect on July 1, 2009. The state passed the new law in an attempt to reduce the amount of gasoline vapors being emitted into the air at various gas stations throughout the area.
However, this new ‘topping off’ ban has drawn criticism from gas-station owners who claim that their customers will be prevented from filling up their cars completely. And, let’s face it, the gas-station owners might be losing a buck here and there. Though public-health advocated insist that this new rule is necessary in an attempt to lower the amount of benzene that is released into the air to harm the environment and community.
Why the Controversy?
Gas-station owners are insisting that the government’s ‘topping off’ law is vague, and could cost them sales. But when a vehicle is ‘topped off’ with gasoline, gasoline is caused to spill and as a result benzene is sent into the air.
Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked to various forms of cancer including leukemia. When benzene is ingested, inhaled or handled, it has been known to not only cause life-altering illnesses, but can even lead to death. And this is why environmentalist and the government are taking action to cut the amount of benzene released into the air wherever they can, loss of sales or not.
Oregon’s new standards are reportedly aimed at reducing emissions of benzene by about 28 tons each year and other volatile organic compounds by an estimated 1, 610 per year.
