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Livingstone Marufu
THE country is moving towards phasing out conventional diesel and embracing Diesel 50 (D50) by June this year in line with international standards to reduce carbon emissions and prolong modern vehicle life span.
The move to phase out conventional diesel follows scientific research findings that it has high sulphur content and can be hazardous to people’s health, causing respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung cancer.
Sulphur is a combustible non-metal chemical that occurs naturally in crude oil.
D50 has sulphur content of about 50 parts in one litre of the fuel while conventional diesel has at least 500 parts, which leads to formation of sulphates within a vehicle’s exhaust system. The sulphates are then released into the atmosphere.
Experts say low sulphur fuel burns cleaner and reduces vehicle emissions.
Most developed countries are already using lower levels of diesel such as D10, while most African countries have adopted D50.
Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority petroleum and infrastructure Engineer Andrew Guri told The Sunday Mail that the country is moving towards D50 by June this year.
“We have planned to move from the conventional diesel to Diesel 50 by the first half of 2017 as it protracts the life span of the modern vehicles and reduces toxic elements in exhaust emissions, thus leading to a cleaner environment.
“The changeover (from Diesel 500 to D50) won’t be much of a problem as we will just use the same infrastructure we are using on conventional diesel. There won’t be any complication nor any cost as the same resources we are using will be used,” said Eng Guri. In a survey conducted by this publication, most service stations are selling conventional diesel at US$1,18 per litre against US$1,27 for D50.
Zera said despite selling at a higher price, D50 lasts longer than the other type.
University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences lecturer in public health, Dr Tawanda Marufu said D500 interferes with respiratory function and leads to reduced lung capacity and increases the intensity of lung infections.
“Fine particulate matter is most strongly associated with health risks from air pollution.
“Consequently, there is a risk to suffer from diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, lung cancer, respiratory disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and increased asthma symptoms,” said Dr Marufu.
Zimbabwe consumed 863,46 million litres of diesel and 467,31 million litres of petrol in 2015; and 190,14 million litres of diesel and 113, 86 million litres of petrol between January and May 2016.
Online Reporter