Sky Schaudt/KJZZ

Vapor recovery devices are the rubber pieces you sometimes see on the end of gas nozzles.

Gas stations pumps across the United States used to have rubber boots on the nozzles. KJZZ listener Tom Kovacevich noticed the absence and asked about it via Q&AZ.

In 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency issued updated rulings on vapor recovery devices, the rubber boots you sometimes see on the end of gas station nozzles.

They were installed by many gas stations to help meet air quality standards.

The EPA declined to speak to KJZZ on the change, but EPA documents show the agency loosened rules on their use because, at the time, about 70 percent of cars had vapor recovery systems built-in to the gas tank opening, making the rubber boot on the nozzles redundant.