Leaded Petrol

Subject – Environment

Context – Leaded petrol eradicated, says UNEP.

Concept –

Globally, automotive fuel is completely lead-free now. Not a single fuel outlet sells leaded petrol anymore anywhere.
The campaign was led and supported by the UNEP and its Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) in accomplishing the global objective.
It has taken 100 years to stop the use of leaded fuel finally.
The practice of adding tetraethyl lead to petrol had spread widely to all countries soon after its anti-knock and octane-boosting properties were discovered. This deadly neurotoxin has already done a great deal of harm since then.
Algeria — the last country to use the fuel — exhausted its supplies last month
India banned leaded petrol in March 2000.

Harmful effects of Leaded Petrol

Fumes from petrol vehicles using leaded petrol have been a significant source of lead exposures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead is toxic, affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children.
It affects the brain, liver, kidneys and bones.
Lead is measured in blood to understand exposure. Lead in bone is released into blood during pregnancy and becomes a source of exposure to the developing foetus.
More recent research has indicated that lead can damage the infant brain even at blood levels as low as 5 microunits per decilitre (μ/dl).
Lead exposure in childhood has long-lasting effects on mental health and personality in adulthood.
Yet another compelling reason for removing lead from petrol is its damaging impact on the emissions control systems of vehicles.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
Major Reports: Emission Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet.
Major Campaigns: Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life.
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.
The UNEP engages in developing global conventions on the environment and related issues. It hosts the secretariats of various conventions such as:
- Minamata Convention
- United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- Basel Convention
- Stockholm Convention
- Rotterdam Convention
- Montreal Protocol
- Vienna Convention
- Convention on Migratory Species
- Tehran Convention
- Bamako Convention
- Carpathian Convention
- Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)