UNLEADED GASOLINE SHORTAGES AND FUEL SWITCHING; THE POTENTIAL IMPACT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

A reversal in the downward trend in ozone levels in the Los Angeles Basin occurred in the summer of 1978. A comparison of observed and expected ozone levels and the use of existing evidence of misfueling indicates that this increase in ozone is partly due to misfueling. The use of leaded gasoline in cars equipped with catalytic converters poisons the catalysts and results in increased reactive hydrocarbon, a precursor of ozone. The causes of misfueling are outlined: shortage of unleaded gasoline, price differentials between leaded and unleaded gasoline, and performance degradation. The probability of forced usage of three tankfuls of leaded gasoline during unleaded gasoline shortfalls is calculated for the South Coast Air Basin (SOCAB) for 1979. Use of this amount of leaded gasoline will deactivate a catalytic converter. The maximum expected ozone concentration and number of ozone episode days expected in SOCAB are also calculated for various shortfalls. For example, a 6% shortfall of unleaded gasoline lasting for 44 weeks, will deactivate 50% of the converters. Compared to 1976, the maximum yearly ozone concentration in SOCAB would increase from 0.40 to 0.50 ppm. The number of First Stage Health Advisory Episode days would increase from 73 to 117, the number of Second Stage Warning Episode days from four to 18, and the number of Third Stage Emergency Episode days from zero to one. Economic, legislative, educational, and policy actions are recommended in order to avoid such adverse impacts on the air quality in Southern California.

  • Availability:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • At head of title: APCA Note-Book.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Air Pollution Control Association

    P.O. Box 2861
    Pittsburgh, PA  United States  15230
  • Authors:
    • Heinsheimer, T F
    • Nevitt, J S
    • Nazemi, M A
  • Publication Date: 1979-10

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00390965
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HS-028 669
  • Files: HSL, USDOT
  • Created Date: Dec 30 1984 12:00AM