Testing Confirms Choice of Gasoline Can Result in Large Pollution Reductions

ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 30 -- Motorists can significantly reduce pollution in the air we breathe based on the gasoline they choose, according to independent test results released today by the American Lung Association of Minnesota. A scientific comparison of Minnesota's three top- selling gasolines shows that using low-sulfur, low-benzene fuels dramatically reduces emission of toxic air pollutants and compounds associated with ozone formation -- commonly known as smog.

Testing has shown Holiday low-sulfur Blue Planet 87-octane gasoline contains 65 percent less sulfur than other leading Minnesota brands, BP Amoco and SuperAmerica. Gasoline sulfur content affects operation of a car's catalytic converter and, ultimately, the amount and type of tailpipe pollution. The greatest reduction of emissions will occur when low emission vehicles are fueled with low-sulfur gasoline. All light duty vehicles manufactured in model year 2001 and later meet federal low emission vehicle standards.

If all low emission vehicles in the Twin Cities today were fueled with low-sulfur, low-benzene Holiday gasoline, the pollution savings over using the other brands is estimated at more than 700 tons per year in ozone-forming hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. In addition, 10 tons of benzene and 10,000 tons of carbon monoxide would be prevented from entering the air Minnesotans breathe. Older, non-low emission vehicles will also achieve pollution-reducing benefits by using the low-sulfur, low-benzene gasoline. Project personnel conclude that over time and with increasing amounts of traffic in the Twin Cities, wide-scale use of low-sulfur, low-benzene gasoline could contribute major benefits toward making Minnesota air safer and healthier to breathe.

In recent years, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has reported several air toxics in addition to ground-level ozone to be pollutants of concern for Minnesota. Air toxics increase the risk of lung and other diseases, including cancer, and ozone pollution damages lung tissue and reduces lung function.

"We want motorists to know a simple choice on what gasoline they buy, can have a big impact on protecting Minnesota air quality and the health of our families," stated Tim Gerlach, outdoor air programs director, American Lung Association of Minnesota. "Our testing shows low-sulfur, low-benzene gasoline is a real benefit and a very easy choice every Twin Cities driver can make."

The Lung Association's annual gasoline testing is conducted by the University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks. Results released today involve 87-octane, or regular, gasolines sold in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area in summer 2002. The work involved random fuel sampling at service stations, laboratory analyses of fuel composition, road testing and emissions modeling that uses U.S. Environmental Protection Agency methodologies.

Holiday is the first fuel retailer outside California to offer low-sulfur gasoline across all octane grades. Low-sulfur Blue Planet gasoline was voluntarily introduced in 1999, years ahead of federal gasoline low-sulfur mandates. Today, Blue Planet is the only gasoline sold at metro area Holiday Stationstores and it is produced by Flint Hills Resources (formerly Koch Petroleum) at its Pine Bend refinery in Minnesota.

The American Lung Association of Minnesota, serving Minnesotans since 1903, is one of the oldest non-profit voluntary health organizations in the nation. The Lung Association provides advocacy, research, education and programs to promote healthy air, healthy people and healthy lungs. Key areas of focus include outdoor and indoor air quality, asthma management, smoking prevention and cessation, flu and pneumonia vaccination, and lung disease management. For additional information please visit www.CleanAirChoice.org or call 1-800-642-LUNG (MN) or 651-227-8014.