Source: Cruzeiro do Sul Online - Sorocaba / SP - 25/09/2010

The National Petroleum Agency (ANP) made 13 interdictions and 28 notices, all at resellers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), the cooking gas. In addition, it also seized 4.690 LPG cylinders. In the inspection of gas stations, the ANP - at first - did not find any quality problem in fuels. In all, the ANP inspected 71 fuel and LPG resale stations in Sorocaba, Votorantim and Ibiúna.

The coordinator of the regional office of the ANP in the State of São Paulo, Aurélio Amaral, stated that, in the case of the seizures of the canisters, most of the assessments were made due to excess storage of the canisters and inadequate security. "The numbers in the region are good, they are not out of the norm and there are no major problems," he said.

According to data released yesterday by the Agency, the previous analysis, carried out at gas stations since Monday by intensive inspection, did not detect any visual change in the material. Even so, the samples collected at the stations were sent to the Technological Research Institute (IPT) of São Paulo and to the State University of Campinas, for a chemical analysis. If any changes are found, in a few days the ANP will return to interdict the post.

In a seminar held yesterday to guide consumers and resellers, in addition to the disclosure of the inspection balance, there was also an explanatory demonstration on the test tube, which analyzes the percentage of ethanol in gasoline (should not exceed 25%). “This analysis can be requested at gas stations by consumers themselves. It is a consumer right, ”said Amaral. The inspections continued until yesterday afternoon and the general balance, with the result of the chemical analysis, will be released next week.

Tank in the square

A gas tank intrigued pedestrians in Coronel Fernando Prestes square this Friday. Taken from a gas station in the city of São Paulo, the exposed tank is the result of a fiscal action by the ANP. Used to sell adulterated gasoline, the tank housed another smaller tank in the interior - this one with gasoline within the specifications of the ANP, from where the samples came for inspection.

Amaral considers the tank exhibition a symbol of combating adulteration and believes that the action is important to raise awareness and show the consumer how fraud is carried out. "In years of inspection, I had never seen a tank inside a tank," he said.

Amaral advised the consumer to be suspicious of very low prices and damaged equipment, as well as the general maintenance of the entire station. If you notice or suspect that there is fraud, the consumer should call the Consumer Relationship Center: 0800-970267. "The consumer is the main weapon against adulteration", he concluded.