Thanks to rjmespn on CLUBLEXUS:
Thank you for bringing your sulfur fume issue to the Environmental
Protection Agency. The percentage of fresh air required in the
recirculation mode of your vehicle?s air conditioning system is not
under EPA jurisdiction. It may be governed by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA can be contacted at
1-800-424-9396 or on the web at
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
EPA has been made aware of concerns regarding sulfur odors. It is my
understanding that in 2002/2003 Toyota replaced the nickel based
catalytic converter lining with a non-nickel containing compound in
order to reduce the exposure of its employees. Nickel is a toxic
compound. we believe that new lining currently in use, specifically in
2003 and later Toyota models, does not handle the sulfur in gasoline as
well as the former nickel compound. Therefore resulting in the sulfur
odor you are noticing in your vehicle.
Over the next few years, Air Quality Tier 2 regulations are requiring
the formula for gasoline to change. If you wold like more information,
the final rule regarding sulfur content in gasoline was published on
February 10, 2000 and is located in the Federal Register Volume 65 (65
FR 6698). Currently, the sulfur content in gasoline is approximately 120
parts per million and is capped at 300 parts per million. By 2006
refiners must begin producing gasoline with an average sulfur content of
30 parts per million with a cap of 80 parts per million.
I hope that this information assist you. If you have any further
questions, please feel free to contact me directly by phone at
(214)665-8555, or by e-mail at
[email protected].
Karla Ann Richardson
US EPA Region 6
Air Planning, 6PD-L
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75202