There’s a new website drawing attention to the growing problem of toxic compounds in gasoline, with a call to action for the U.S. EPA to regulate some of the most harmful components in our fuel. 

According to Urban Air Initiative President David VanderGriend, “There’s a problem with the air we’re all breathing and it stems from what’s in our gasoline.  It’s something that’s too small to see, but too big to ignore.”   A new website sponsored by Urban Air Initiative, www.fixourfuel.com, explains why we need to clean up gasoline and protect public health through lowered emissions from vehicles.

“The website takes a story-like approach to make a complicated subject easier to understand.  Right now, toxic compounds called aromatics are added to gasoline to provide octane boost.  However that boost is hurting your health.  Aromatics, such as benzene, come out of the tailpipe as invisible, odorless ultrafine particles (UFP’s).  These UFP’s have been linked to ailments from lung cancer and stroke, to birth defects and developmental disorders in children,” VanderGriend said.

Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to remove these harmful aromatics from gasoline, but not enough is being done, according to Urban Air Initiative officials.  There are cleaner and cheaper options available, such as mid-level blends of ethanol.  Increased use of these mid-level blends will reduce toxic aromatics and UFP’s.

“You can help make a difference.  Go to www.fixourfuel.com to learn about the problem with our gasoline.  There you can also fill out a form asking the EPA to make the changes needed to improve the air we breathe.”