Benzene is still a major constituent of gasoline, but I'm pretty sure it is
not an additive. Its either in the oil or a byproduct of the refining
business. The refiners have been under pressure to remove more benzenes in
the distillation process. When I was in the environmental consulting
business, we commonly tested water and soil for BTEX (benzene,
ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene). This was in parts per billion and was a
good indication of gasoline contamination. Plus they were the carcinogenic
compounds of primary interest from gasoline.
Diesel may also have some very slight benzene content but definitely much
less - diesel is primarily larger carbon chain compounds, gasoline being
lighter and more volatile. And with diesel you worry about cetanes instead
of octanes.
David
67 BGT
71 BGT
At 04:41 PM 7/7/00 -0700, Max Heim wrote:
>Thanks, I think that resolves my question nicely. Now I am wondering, how
>did the French ever allow 10% benzene content in fuel? I have the
>impression that benzene is pretty nasty stuff. You don't think they're
>still doing it, do you? When I was there all the cars seemed to be diesel.
|