KABUL (SW): The Afghanistan National Standard Authority (ANSA) on Tuesday discarded fears about petroleum products causing cancer.
A recent study conducted by the (ANSA) suggested that the levels of sulfur and lead in petroleum products across the country are not high enough that could cause cancer.
Mujiburahman Khatir, Deputy Head of the ANSA, told journalists on Tuesday that based on the samples studied, elements such as sulfur and lead in petrol and diesel are in line with the standards and norms. He said that while carrying out the research, ANSA collected a specific samples of petrol and diesel from across the country, and then sent them to be tested.
The results suggested that diesel contained 0.5 percent of sulfur, which is in line with the standards. He said that petrol contained 0.013 percent of lead.
Naqibullah Fayeq, Head of ANSA, said that a comprehensive research about causes of cancer would only be completed when all the elements, which are believed to cause air pollution and respiratory diseases, are tested.
He believed that petrol and diesel, which are used in the major cities in the country, are in better quality than in the previous years. He said that there is still a need for quality control of the fuel, old cars and factories.
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