Research Projects

Emissions from gasoline service stations represents a significant inventory component. As automobile emission standards result in lower hydrocarbon exhaust emissions per mile, the relative importance of fueling station emissions increases. Gasoline dispensing facilities (GDF) have been subject to pollution control since the 1970s. These stationary sources are a potentially important source of hydrocarbon compounds (VOC) that interact with nitrogen oxides to form ambient oxidants. In nonattainment areas, initial control efforts addressed VOC releases through the installation of vapor recovery systems (VRS) for product delivery processes (Phase I) and product dispensing activities (Phase II). In 1985, emissions from GDFs were regulated statewide by mandating the installation of Phase II VRS on GDFs with annual throughput of at least 480,000 gallons. The purpose of this program is to reduce benzene exposure from fuel dispensing activities. More recently, season-specific formulations of gasoline have been rolled-out to fulfill the need for low volatility gasoline in the summer.