No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveARESEP Warns of Harm Caused by Diesel Fumes

ARESEP Warns of Harm Caused by Diesel Fumes

The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) has criticized a recent move by the Central American Customs Union to ease standards for sulfur emissions in diesel fumes.

The union established a new 0.5% maximum acceptable level for sulfur emissions, an increase over the 0.4% limit previously in effect and the 0.35% limit set as a goal for 2007.

In reducing its standards, the union took a step backward in protecting Costa Rica’s environment and public health, said a statement from ARESEP.

Sulfur can cause health problems including irritation of the cornea, difficulty breathing, heart problems and collapse of the circulation system. Sulfur fumes can also exacerbate asthma and chronic bronchitis in children and elderly adults.

Vegetation, soil and water can also be damaged by sulfur.

ARESEP is calling on the Economy, Industry and Commerce Ministry (MEIC) to set higher standards for diesel fuel in order to reduce sulfur emissions in Costa Rica.

The agency also denounced the National Oil Refinery (RECOPE) for allegedly producing diesel fuel with exceedingly higher quantities of sulfur, according to Channel 7 TV News.

 

Trending Now

Retired Nicaraguan Army Captain Sentenced to 50 Years for Treason

A retired military officer was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Nicaragua for the crime of "treason against the homeland," his family denounced...

El Salvador Slams Paris Fashion Show Inspired by Cecot Mega-Prison Inmates

The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, joked on Saturday that he could send inmates from his mega-prison to France, after they were represented...

An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now

Have you been keeping up with the various events taking place in Costa Rica? There is always something interesting going down, and here are...

Costa Rica’s Piangua Mollusk Threatened by Pineapple Farm Runoff

Costa Rica’s Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland, a 33,000-hectare haven of mangroves and rivers, is under siege from an unlikely source: pineapple farms. A study by...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

Costa Rica Green Hotels Lead Global Sustainable Tourism

Costa Rica’s reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism grows stronger every year, with our green hotels setting a high bar for eco-conscious hospitality...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica