New EPA rules target vehicular toxic fumes

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Recently issued rules by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency focus on severely limiting the amount of toxic emissions from cars and trucks.

The Washington Post said the strict new regulations issued Friday are aimed at decreasing the 1999 reported levels of vehicle toxic emissions by 80 percent by 2030.

To reach this goal, the EPA issued stricter emission standards for both cold weather automobiles and fuel containers, along with new regulations aimed at limiting the amount of amount of benzene in gasoline.

A naturally occurring compound in crude oil, benzene is seen as the second-biggest cancer risk in the United States through its contributions to air pollution.

EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said that by imposing an absolute cap of 1.3 percent benzene regarding any product and through his organization's other new regulations, the average U.S. citizen will benefit greatly.