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When you go to fill up your car, you want to be assured that what you're putting in your tank is the best possible product the market has to offer. This is where fuel quality testing comes in. But did you know that this battery of examinations bears effects outside of the gas tank? Just as there are all different types of combustibles that go in our engines, there is a whole world out there affected by the standards to which we hold the materials that power our vehicles. You may be surprised to learn how far-reaching the effects can be. Let's start with one of the biggest differences: leaded versus unleaded gas. In the United States, one will only see unleaded gasoline: in fact, the alternative has not been available for sale within our borders since December 31, 1995, after being phased out of consumption here beginning in the 1970s. It is commonly known that lead has very hazardous consequences for human health as well as the health of the environment. In many countries with fewer stringent regulations, however, it is still common to see leaded gasoline. Originally, this substance was included in gas because scientists found that lead kept manufacturing costs down, and it also went easier on the engine valves than the non-leaded alternative did. However, after handling the product, many went on to develop ailments related to it, leading to its eventual nationwide ban. As these particles were expelled into the air en masse before catalytic converters were commonly featured in engines, they were just as much of an air pollutant as they were a human health hazard, which fuel quality testing helped to determine. The pollutants that gas expels into the air need to remain at certain levels for the health and good of all, regardless of the presence of lead in the final product. After all, the combustion process still expels harmful toxins like carbon monoxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide back into the atmosphere. These toxins affect everything from our nervous systems to respiratory functions and brains. Some of the toxins in diesel have even been known to contribute to the development of cancer. In fact, annually, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, an average of 4,040 workers in factories powered by fossil-derived materials are admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, and 59,000 will develop acute bronchitis. 603,000 will suffer asthma attacks, and over 9,000 develop cardiovascular illnesses. Of course, none of this even begins to account for the damage that can occur to the environment when the levels of pollutants present have not been properly monitored. High levels of ozone contribute to the rapid destruction of the environment and can leave a thick cloud of smog hanging over our towns and cities. With fuel quality testing, it's possible to ensure that the toxic compounds in our combustibles are held to reasonable levels. Interested in fuel quality testing for your business? Trust the professionals at Spectro Scientific. Learn more at http://www.spectrosci.com/industry-segments/oil-fuel-qc/fuel-analysis-spectro-scientific/.
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