Use of motor fuels and lubricants; habits and practices of (PDF)

Use of motor fuels and lubricants: habits and practices of consumers in Europe The oil companies’ European association for Environment, Health and Safety in refining and distribution report no. 4/14 conservation of clean air and water in europe © CONCAWE  ISBN 978-2-87567-028-1  report no. 4/14 I Use of motor fuels and lubricants: habits and practices of consumers in Europe Prepared for the CONCAWE Health Management Group by its Special Task Force H/STF-29: J. Urbanus (Chair) M. Banton A. Biverstal M. Carter F. del Castillo B. Geudens R. Jones A. Margary C. Money G. Niemeck G. Pizzella S. Williams A. Rohde (Science Executive) Reproduction permitted with due acknowledgement  CONCAWE Brussels February 2014  report no. 4/14 II ABSTRACT A structured survey of European consumers was carried out across 250 participants to better understand their habits and practices concerning their use of vehicle fuels and lubricants. This report contains the findings of the survey. The information obtained from this survey provides insight on the current nature of consumer exposures to fuels and lubricants, and will be used to support the REACH registrations of petroleum substances and the basis for the information included in the CONCAWE Specific Consumer Exposure Determinants (SCEDS). KEYWORDS Fuels, lubricants, exposure survey INTERNET This report is available as an Adobe pdf file on the CONCAWE website (www.concawe.org). NOTE Considerable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in this publication. However, neither CONCAWE nor any company participating in CONCAWE can accept liability for any loss, damage or injury whatsoever resulting from the use of this information. This report does not necessarily represent the views of any company participating in CONCAWE.  report no. 4/14 III CONTENTS Page SUMMARY IV 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. STUDY OBJECTIVE 1 3. STUDY METHOD 1 3.1. STUDY PROTOCOL 1 3.2. DESIGN DESCRIPTION 1 3.3. PRIMARY ENDPOINTS 1 3.4. SECONDARY ENDPOINTS 2 4. LOCATION 2 5. TIMING 2 6. SUBJECT PARTICIPATION 2 6.1. PANELLIST RECRUITMENT 2 6.2. INCLUSION CRITERIA 2 6.3. EXCLUSION CRITERIA 2 7. DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING 3 7.1. RECORDED DATA 3 7.2. RECORDING METHODS 3 7.3. DATA STORAGE 3 7.4. DATA PROCESSING 3 7.5. DATA PROVISION 3 8. STUDY RESULTS 4 9. DISCUSSION 19 10. REFERENCES 21 APPENDIX ALBA SCIENCE STUDY 210919 : FINAL REPORT 22  report no. 4/14 IV SUMMARY A market survey was commissioned by CONCAWE in 2011 to characterise the habits and practices of European consumers in their use of petroleum products, in particular fuels and engine lubricants. The survey was carried out of Alba Science Ltd. A sample of 250 United Kingdom participants (all car drivers), who represented an authentically broad socio-demographic type, aged 18 to 65, responded to the 39 questions in the on-line survey. The survey was geographically limited but intended to be illustrative of the broader habits and practices of EU consumers. Of the survey participants, 97% regularly used gasoline and/or diesel. Some owned more than one vehicle, such that 80% refuelled with gasoline and 30% with diesel. Nearly all service stations that were visited were of the self-service type. Based on the results of the survey, the average refuelling frequency was 3.1 times/month, average refuelling amount was 30 litres and average time spent at service station was 4 minutes. Regarding dermal exposures, around 25% responded that they “sometimes” have skin contact with fuel. When disposable gloves are available, only 8% reported that they would always use them. Information on parameters relevant for estimating exposure to engine lubricants was targeted at the topping up of the engine reservoir and at lubricant changes. Most participants reported that they occasionally check the oil reservoir level of their car and top up if necessary. 70% of the participants do not themselves change the oil in their vehicle, but 20% do it sometimes and this could result in some dermal exposure to both old and fresh lubricant. In a comparison of the selected findings from the survey with the basic REACH assumptions and the values in the SCEDs, these survey results confirm that the values within the SCEDs better reflect current European consumer habits and practices. The resulting SCEDs exposure estimates are considered to remain suitably conservative.  report no. 4/14 1 1. INTRODUCTION To characterize the consumer habits and practices of European consumers in their use of petroleum products, in particular fuels and engine lubricants, a market survey was commissioned by CONCAWE. A sample of 250 United Kingdom consumers (all car drivers) volunteered to participate in this on-line survey and answer 39 questions regarding their use of fuels and lubricants. The information obtained from this survey would provide insight on the current nature of consumer exposures to petroleum products and would form the basis for the information included in the CONCAWE Specific Consumer Exposure Determinants (SCEDs). SCEDs are the standardized way, accepted under REACH and by ECHA, to transparently show how consumer exposures to substances can occur. 2. STUDY OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate, in a randomly selected panel of 250 people, the habits and practices of consumers as they relate to the use of fuels and lubricants. Where the panellists are routinely exposed to one, or both, products, the frequency and circumstances of the exposure was assessed and recorded via the survey. 3. STUDY METHOD 3.1. STUDY PROTOCOL The study was performed in accordance with Alba Science Ltd. Study Protocol 210919. A copy of the Study Protocol is included in Appendix A. 3.2. DESIGN DESCRIPTION The panellists were recruited remotely and were asked to complete an online screening survey and consent form. 250 panellists were selected in accordance with the screening criteria to represent a broad demographic in accordance with the inclusion criteria. Panellists were given a set period of time to complete the online questionnaire. The ensuing data was collected and is reported in this document. 3.3. PRIMARY ENDPOINTS The primary endpoint for analysis was the questionnaire data.  report no. 4/14 2 3.4. SECONDARY ENDPOINTS There were no secondary endpoints for analysis on this study. 4. LOCATION The study was managed at the premises of Alba Science Ltd., 24 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3RH, United Kingdom. Subjects on the study completed the online questionnaire at home. 5. TIMING The study was completed by panellists and the results were collected between 01 Mar 2011 and 31 Mar 2011. 6. SUBJECT PARTICIPATION 6.1. PANELLIST RECRUITMENT 250 panellists were recruited to take part in the survey. The aim was to recruit a group of panellists who represented an authentically broad socio-demographic type, in accordance with the above inclusion criteria below. 6.2. INCLUSION CRITERIA The following Inclusion Criteria were used during subject screening and recruitment:  Male and Female  Aged 18 to 65  Computer literate / access to internet  Car owners or drivers 6.3. EXCLUSION CRITERIA The following Exclusion Criteria were used during subject screening and recruitment:  Those who fall outside the required age group.  Non car owners or drivers.  Those without access to the internet.  report no. 4/14 3 7. DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING 7.1. RECORDED DATA The following data are recorded during the study.  Questionnaire data 7.2. RECORDING METHODS Data collected during the study are recorded directly to a computerised Data Management System. 7.3. DATA STORAGE All data collected related to the study are stored in a computerised Data Management System. 7.4. DATA PROCESSING For data processing, a computer system produced the processed data for the study. A Data Analysis Report was generated containing both raw and processed data, together with other information gathered throughout the study. 7.5. DATA PROVISION Data are provided to the Sponsor as part of the Final report, together with appropriate presentation of the results.  report no. 4/14 4 8. STUDY RESULTS The results of the study follow on the next page. Questions 1-3 were administrative and are therefore not reported. Textual responses can be found in the Data Analysis Report in Appendix B. Question 4: Please tell us your age Response Options Response (%) Response Count 18-30 17.60 44 31-55 71.60 179 Over 55 10.80 27 Question 5: Please indicate your sex below Response Options Response (%) Response Count Male 34.80 87 Female 65.20 163 Question 6: Please tick the box below which best describes the environment in which you live. Response Options Response (%) Response Count Rural/ Country 25.60 64 Urban/ City 74.40 186  report no. 4/14 5 Question 7: Please tell us which UK region you live in. Response Options Response (%) Response Count North East 1.20 3 North West 3.60 9 Yorkshire and Humber 3.60 9 East 2.40 6 East Midlands 1.60 4 West Midlands 2.40 6 Greater London 3.60 9 South East 5.60 14 South West 2.00 5 Scotland 72.40 181 Wales 1.20 3 Northern Ireland 0.40 1 Question 8: Please indicate which of the following best describes your employment status. Response Options Response (%) Response Count Unemployed 16.80 42 Employed 80.40 201 Retired 2.80 7  report no. 4/14 6 Question 9: Do you own or regularly drive a car or another type of vehicle? Response Options Response (%) Response Count Yes 100.00 250 No 0.00 0 Question 10: Typically, how many times per week will you use your car or vehicle? Response Options Response (%) Response Count Rarely 0.80 2 Occasional use 27.60 69 Daily / To commute to work 71.60 179 Question 11: Please indicate the type(s) of vehicle you drive or operate and the circumstances of their use. (You can tick more than one box per vehicle type if this applies). Response Options Private Use Use at Work Response Count Car or SUV etc. 242 61 246 Van 10 15 22 Motorbike 6 1 7 HGV 0 2 2 Tractor / vehicle used for farming purposes 2 2 4 Building / works vehicle such as a digger 1 3 4 Small scale industrial machine e.g. cement mixer 2 5 7  report no. 4/14 7 Question 11: Please indicate the type(s) of vehicle you drive or operate and the circumstances of their use. (You can tick more than one box per vehicle type if this applies). Response Options Private Use Use at Work Response Count Garden equipment / machinery 14 2 15 Factory or construction equipment / machinery 0 3 3 Agricultural machinery 2 1 3 Bus or coach 2 3 5 Others (please specify) 6 Question 12: Please tell us how the vehicle(s) is / are powered. Response Options Response (%) Response Count Petrol 80.00 200 Diesel 29.60 74 Liquid Petroleum Gas 1.60 4 Biofuel 0.40 1 Electric 2.80 7 If you have selected more than one fuel type (and are therefore operating more than one of the above vehicles), please state which vehicle is powered by which fuel in the box below e.g. 'Car- petrol. Lorry- diesel' 19  report no. 4/14 8 Question 13: Typically, how many times do you visit the filling station in one month? Response Options Response (%) Response Count More than once a week 15.20 38 Weekly 37.60 94 Fortnightly 26.00 65 Every three weeks 8.00 20 Monthly 11.20 28 Other, please specify 2.00 5 Question 14: Please can you indicate how much you typically spend on fuel each time you visit the filling station. Response Options Response (%) Response Count Up to £20 20.80 52 £21 to £40 36.00 90 £41 to £60 28.40 71 £61 to £80 11.20 28 £81 to £100 2.80 7 Over £100 0.80 2 Question 15: On average, can you estimate how much time you spend actually at the pump refilling your vehicle when you are at the filling station? Response Options Response (%) Response Count Up to 2 minutes 8.80 22 More than 2 minutes, less than 4 minutes 48.80 122  report no. 4/14 9 Question 15: On average, can you estimate how much time you spend actually at the pump refilling your vehicle when you are at the filling station? Response Options Response (%) Response Count More than 4 minutes, less than 6 minutes 29.20 73 More than 6 minutes, less than 8 minutes 8.40 21 More than 8 minutes, less than 10 minutes 3.60 9 More than 10 minutes 1.20 3 Question 16: Are you aware that disposable gloves are provided at the pumps? Response Options Response (%) Response Count Yes 84.00 210 No 16.00 40 Question 17: How often would you say they are available at the pumps? Response Options Response (%) Response Count Never 14.40 36 Sometimes 55.60 139 Frequently 24.00 60 Always 6.00 15