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Harmful Effects of Leaded Gasoline
Jane Akumu
Transport Unit
National Lead Phase-out Workshop: Algiers, Algeria
23 May 2012
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Urban air pollution a key issue
• WHO estimates over 1.3 million
deaths each year from urban air
pollution
• Up to 1 million premature deaths
• Cost estimated at 2% of GDP, in
developed countries and more
than 5% in developing countries
(e.g. 7% China, to rise to 13% by
2020)
• In South Africa respiratory
infections due to outdoor air
pollution kill 2000 children
annually
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Air pollution: health effects
Premature Deaths
Cancer
Developmental Effects
Hospitalization
Asthma Attacks and Bronchitis
4
Why lead was added
• As an octane enhancer, to prevent engine knock
• It was believed to prevent valve seat wear/recession in
older cars
Lead not necessary because
• Refinery technology has improved
• Valve seat recession not likely from experience of other
countries
• Modern cars manufactured with hard valve seats (US –
1971, Japan -1975, Europe Mid-1980s, South Africa –
1997/98)
5
Lead Impacts Local and Global
Lead in Ice Core of Greenland
• Leaded gasoline highest
source of atmospheric
lead
• Lead is highly toxic
• No level of lead is safe
6
Health Impacts
• Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver,
kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and
bones, where it accumulates over time. Human
exposure can be assessed directly through
measurement of lead in blood, teeth or bones
• Lead has serious health impacts - impairs
development of brain function in children and
lowers IQ; increases heart and respiratory
diseases in adults among other associated
diseases
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Health Impacts
• Children absorb 4–5 times more lead
•
•
•
•
•
the intake of lead per unit body weight is higher
more dust may be ingested
Lead absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is higher
the blood–brain barrier is not yet fully developed
neurological effects occur at lower levels than in adults
• Impacts: the developing nervous system, intelligence
quotient (IQ), attention deficit disorder and
aggression
• In pregnant women can cause miscarriage, stillbirth,
premature birth and low birth weight, and minor
malformations
• Long term exposure can lead to anaemia;
neurological disturbances like headache, irritability,
lethargy, convulsions, muscle weakness, and
paralysis; male reproductive system and even cancer
Health Impacts
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Example of Ghana
Reduction in blood lead level from leaded gasoline phase-out in Ghana
30
26.4
25
20
Mean blood lead levels (ug/dl)
15
Lead in gasoline (g/l)
10
5.33
5
0.2
0.013
0
2003
2006
1
0
Example of Hungary
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Benefits for Vehicles
• Leaded petrol has negative effects on a vehicle’s
engine and exhaust systems, such as the
corrosion of various components, fouling of spark
plugs, and contamination of engine oil by
corrosive acids
• It has been estimated that using unleaded petrol
can extend engine life by 1.5 to 2 times
• Unleaded petrol will allow for introduction of
catalytic converters that will reduce other
emissions (e.g carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide,
hydrocarbons) by up to 90%
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Catalytic converter
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Promoting unleaded gasoline: benefits
• ULG : better for your car
• fouling up engine
• corrosion exhaust
• ULG: better for your wallet
• reduced maintenance costs
• slight efficiency improvement
• ULG: better for health and
environment
• Better health
• Reduced ambient lead levels
CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE LEADED GASOLINE SUCCESSFUL
2002
2012
Source: PCFV, 2012
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The Partnership for Clean Fuels and
Vehicles (PCFV)
• Was set up at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, September 2002
• Main objective is to address urban air quality in
developing & transition countries by promoting clean
fuels and vehicles
• Comprises over 120 partners from governments,
industry, international organizations and civil society
• Clearing-House in UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi,
Kenya
PCFV GOALS
2002
Lead phase-out in Sub-Saharan Africa
2005
• To reduce sulphur in vehicle fuels to 50 ppm or below
worldwide, concurrent with clean vehicles and clean
vehicles technologies, with roadmaps and timelines
developed regionally and nationally
• To phase out leaded gasoline worldwide to be followed by
the global introduction of vehicles with catalytic converters
Some PCFV Partners
For more information
http://www.unep.org/transport/pcfv/