Now Reading: Nationwide tests clear E20 petrol of contamination fears
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Nationwide tests clear E20 petrol of contamination fears
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Friday said extensive nationwide testing found no evidence of widespread moisture or chloride contamination in E20 petrol. More than 100 refinery samples showed chloride levels at or…
The Story in Brief
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Friday said extensive nationwide testing found no evidence of widespread moisture or chloride contamination in E20 petrol. More than 100 refinery samples showed chloride levels at or below 1 ppm, while ethanol from 80 distilleries recorded levels below 3 ppm. Over 80 E20 samples from depots and terminals also tested below 3 ppm.
Intensified monitoring covered more than 1,000 retail samples; of 160 reports analysed, chloride ranged from 0 to 3 ppm. Four isolated cases of elevated chloride were detected, and supplies were suspended for corrective action. Nearly 90,000 underground storage tanks are being inspected 8-12 times daily for water ingress. OMCs urged consumers to use the fuel with confidence.
The Indian Opinion
Opposition leaders and some consumers have seized on stray reports to paint E20 as a menace to engines and mileage. Yet the joint testing by OMCs and the Centre for High Technology, covering distilleries, depots, and 1,000 retail outlets, found only four anomalous samples, all swiftly corrected. The real test will be independent verification by a neutral body like the Bureau of Indian Standards. Without that, the debate remains more political than factual.
Sources (2): newindianexpress.com, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
