In a bid to help avoid a fuel crisis due to the impacts of war in Iran, the Australian Government temporarily reverted fuel quality standards to allow higher sulfur levels until May 31 2026.

The decision reverses a change that game into effect in December 2025 but will allow around 100 million litres a month of new petrol supply that would otherwise have been exported.

Ampol Australia has committed to prioritising regions of shortage and the wholesale spot market that supports independent distributors and harvesters with this additional supply.

However, the higher sulfur context creates more risk once again for Australians living with heart and lung conditions, including asthma.

Yarra Glen resident Darren Lewis lives with emphysema, asthma and chronic lung and airway infections and said he is a living sensor for the toxicity in our air.

“When the sulfur goes up, my ability to breathe goes down,” he said.

“I am not alone in this, there are thousands of us with respiratory vulnerabilities who are being told that supply security is more important than our lungs.

“The smack in the face is coming, and we are the ones breathing it first.”

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) was contacted for comment.

Prior to the introduction of the 10 parts per million (ppm) sulfur standard in December 2025, almost all petrol vehicles in Australia operated on fuels containing between 50 and 150 ppm sulfur.

Professor Brian Oliver, whose research is focused on lung diseases, wrote an article for The Conversation detailing the impacts of reverting to “dirty fuel”.

“Because Australia only switched to ultra-low sulfur petrol in late 2025, there has been little time for large population-level health gains to accumulate,” Prof Oliver said.

“Air quality improvements from cleaner fuels tend to emerge gradually, rather than within weeks or months.

“That means a short-term reversal is unlikely to cause sudden, dramatic new health effects for the general population. There is no evidence a two-month increase will trigger a wave of new disease.”

Burning fuel creates air pollution, namely the gas sulfur dioxide and fine particles (called PM2.5) which are bad for your health when inhaled.

Prof Oliver said there are some caveats but the change is also not equivalent to introducing a brand new pollution source.

“Sulfur emissions worsen air quality and disproportionately affect people with existing heart and lung diseases (especially asthma),” he said.

“Traffic-related pollution causes harm even at the relatively low levels found in Australia, we do not know precisely how much additional SO₂ or particulate pollution this temporary change will generate in Australian cities, because it depends on traffic patterns, weather and how petrol is blended at the refinery.

“We suspect any added health burden will be small, short-lived, and concentrated near busy roads and enclosed spaces – but not zero.”

The temporary allowance of up to 50 parts per million sulfur until 31 May is supported by the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee, whose membership includes state and territory air‑quality and environmental‑health representatives.

According to the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the monitoring stations in Warburton, Healesville, Yarra Glen and Mooroolbark all largely recorded ratings of ‘Good’ over a 48 hour period between Wednesday 18 March and Thursday 19 March. Mooroolbark saw a reduction to a ‘Fair’ rating between 5am and 7am on Thursday 19 March, Yarra Glen fell to ‘Fair’ between 5am and 1pm on Thursday 19 March and Warburton was recorded as fair from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm on Thursday 19 March.

An EPA Victoria spokesperson said the relaxation of fuel standards is temporary and will not result in any measurable change in air quality over the short term it’s expected to be in place.

“In the meantime, the new standard of 10 ppm for sulfur content was only introduced in December last year and the temporary standard of 50 ppm brings Australian petrol back to the level that prevailed in most fuels before that change,” they said.

“For live air quality monitoring around Victoria, visit EPA Air Watch epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality.”

Prof Oliver advised that the precautionary measures for during this period are largely the same as all for reducing traffic pollution harm:

Avoid idling vehicles in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces such as garages and underground car parks where exhaust pollutants can build up quickly.

Reduce unnecessary car use where practical, particularly in congested urban areas.

Keep your distance from heavy traffic, especially for people with asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), heart disease, pregnant people and young children.

Ensure good ventilation if driving in slow-moving traffic, including closing your windows and setting the car aircon to recirculate.

Follow asthma or heart management plans and get medical advice if symptoms worsen.

Lilydale Star Mail

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