New Delhi: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have rejected claims of excessive chloride and moisture contamination in E20 petrol, saying nationwide intensive testing has found fuel quality well within prescribed limits.
The additional testing was undertaken following recent media reports alleging the presence of moisture and chloride levels as high as 500 ppm in ethanol-blended petrol. OMCs said scientifically designed random tests across the entire supply chain found no evidence to warrant concern among consumers.
More than 100 petrol samples collected from refineries recorded chloride levels at or below 1 ppm. A dedicated task force comprising representatives of OMCs and the Centre for High Technology (CHT) also tested ethanol samples from 80 distilleries over the past 10 days, with all samples recording chloride levels below 3 ppm.
At depots and terminals, more than 80 samples tested across the country also showed chloride levels below 3 ppm.
At retail outlets, more than 1,000 samples are being tested under an intensified monitoring programme. Of the 160 reports analysed so far, chloride levels were found in the range of 0-3 ppm, contrary to claims of several hundred ppm. Four isolated cases of elevated chloride were detected and supplies were immediately suspended for investigation and corrective action.
OMCs said around 90,000 retail outlets have also begun mandatory monitoring of underground storage tanks. Inspections are being carried out 8-12 times daily, with no water ingress detected so far.
The companies said mobile testing laboratories and independent fuel laboratories are being used to strengthen quality surveillance and urged consumers to continue using E20 petrol with confidence.
