VINACHEM

Using E15 gas rather than regular gas will reduce cancer-causing pollutants and smog in Chicago’s air, says a new report that reviews and aggregates the results of independent research by the Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, California Air Resources Board, Coordinating Research Council, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Illinois at Chicago and other institutions.

The study concluded that:

- The renewable fuel in E15 displaces cancer causing emissions from gasoline, resulting in a net decrease in cancer risk of 6.6 percent compared to regular gas.

- The smog forming potential from E15 is lower than in regular gas.

- Using E15 gasoline with 15 percent ethanol results in a 1.5 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to regular gasoline which contains 10 percent ethanol.

“The most significant changes from a change … to E15 include a reduction in cancer risk from vehicle exhaust and evaporative emissions, a reduction in the potential to form ozone or photochemical smog, and a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” the study reported.

A meta-analysis of research by leading institutions and experts adds to the mounting evidence proving cities like Chicago would benefit from the availability of E15 gas, which has proven to be cleaner, cheaper and better for engines. The study was conducted by Life Cycle Associates, a leading environmental research organization that has completed numerous research projects for institutions like the U.S. Department of Energy, environmental groups, and the California Air Resources Board.

Life Cycle Associates examined and aggregated a wide range of research to assess changes in the emissions from E15 tailpipe and evaporative emissions, compared to regular gasoline. The following factors were considered: ethanol blend composition; vehicle tailpipe emissions; storage and fueling with ethanol blends; changes in evaporative and exhaust emissions; human health impacts; ozone potential; and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

To determine how much E15 reduces the risk of cancer, the study looked at several cancer-causing pollutants found in vehicle exhaust. The study found that using E15 shows a projected reduction in cancer risk because the ethanol in E15 displaces carcinogens like benzene and 1,3 butadiene.

Ethanol also displaces gasoline components with higher smog forming potential, resulting in a lower smog forming potential for E15 blends than regular gasoline. In addition, the study reviewed extensive research on E15’s influence on greenhouse gas emissions, finding a reduction of 1.5 percent in E15 gasoline compared to regular, E10 gasoline.