§ Mr. HallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the benzene content of(a) standard unleaded motor fuel and (b) super unleaded motor spirit; and at what stage additional benzene is added to (a) or (b).
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleAs the question falls to the Department of Transport, I have been asked to reply. There is no correlation between benzene content and the grade of petrol. The benzene content of leaded, unleaded and super unleaded petrol is controlled in each case at a maximum of 5 per cent. by volume under EC Directive 85/210. Market surveys show that, in practice, petrol274W typically contains 2 to 4 per cent. of benzene by volume. Within the European Community the limit of 5 per cent. is being reviewed. Benzene is not added to petrol at any stage during refining, but is produced during the process called reforming, which is used to make high-octane petrol.