Phasing out leaded gasoline will not end lead poisoning in developing countries

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Environmental Health Perspectives

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.9610410· OSTI ID:391057

Finkelman, J

Phaseout will have limited impact if other sources of exposure are not substantially reduced. The phaseout of leaded gasoline would be a significant step forward in the reduction of a major source of exposure: however, this undertaking, even if successful, will have limited public health impact if other sources of exposure are not substantially reduced. For instance, in Mexico City, after the introduction of unleaded gasoline in 1990, lead concentrations in air declined from 1.2 {mu}g/m{sup 3} to 0.2 {mu}g/m{sup 3} in 1993. Blood lead concentrations in school children (n = 2350) also went down, from 16.50 {mu}g/dl to 11.14 {mu}g/dl in 1992. Nevertheless, since 1992, blood lead level in this particular cohort of children has declined at a slower pace, showing concentrations of 9.8 {mu}g/dl, indicating exposure to other sources. 11 refs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 391057
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 104; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPAZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GASOLINE
HEALTH HAZARDS
LEAD
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
PUBLIC HEALTH