Don't Top Off Media Release

SANTA BARBARA, CA — The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District launched a “Don’t Top Off Your Tank” public outreach campaign today. The message is simple – when you fill up your gas tank and the nozzle ‘clicks off,’ hang up the hose and stop pumping gas. The gasoline you’re paying for with those few extra ‘clicks’ to “top off” is not going in your tank—it’s stuck in the hose or getting ready to spill onto the next person. Topping off also harms the system designed to prevent toxic gasoline vapors from escaping into the air.

Said APCD “Don’t Top Off” Project Coordinator Bobbie Bratz, “Gas prices are high enough—don’t increase your personal price per gallon by trying to top off your tank. Save your money, save your health, and save your planet—don’t top off.”

Gasoline vapors include several substances considered toxic air contaminants by the state of California, including benzene, a carcinogen, considered one of the primary toxic air pollutants contributing to public health risks. In addition to being bad to breathe, these vapors are involved in the formation of smog, which harms our health and our environment. Gasoline stuck in the nozzle also often spills onto the ground, and the residue can run off into our creeks and our ocean.

Vapor recovery systems on gasoline pumps are designed to prevent vapors from escaping into the air. Continuing to pump gas after the automatic shutoff can damage this system, and result in gasoline spills. According to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, spilling one ounce of gasoline releases the same amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air as driving a car 56 miles. VOCs contribute to the formation of smog. Noted Bratz, “April marks the beginning of our smog season in Santa Barbara County, so it’s a good time to think about things we can do to help keep our air clean. This is an easy one to remember, every time you’re at the gas station.”

The campaign includes advertising at county gas stations, radio advertisements, new informational stickers on gasoline pumps, educational posters for display at gasoline stations, and outreach to gasoline station owners and employees. For more information, see the fact sheet and additional information on this page: don't-top-off.htm.

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Save Your Money — Don’t Top Off Your Gas Tank! Save Your Health and Save Your Planet, too

Save Your Money — Don’t Top Off Your Gas Tank!
Save Your Health and Save Your Planet, too