Impact of phase out of leaded gasoline on the air quality in Budapest

Air pollution from urban traffic is a growing environmental problem worldwide. Emissions of lead resulting from the usage of leaded fuel are of particular concern due to associated health hazards. While many countries have accomplished or are in the process of phasing-out leaded gasoline, others continue to rely to a large extent on the use of high lead-content gasoline. Such is the case of Lebanon where the use of unleaded gasoline is hindered not only by the lack of direct governmental endorsement but also by the price difference in favour of leaded gasoline. While the phase-out of leaded gasoline is economically feasible, several measures should be undertaken for a successful transition to unleaded gasoline. This paper reviews the problem of lead addition into gasoline and the international experience in its phase-out. Policy measures and technical considerations for a successful transition to unleaded gasoline are described. Available data for Lebanon about the vehicle fleet characteristics, gasoline consumption and quality as well as lead emissions and concentrations in various environments are presented. This information forms the basis for developing a phase-out action plan outlining the interrelation and responsibilities of various agencies as well as measures to be adopted for a successful phase-out process.

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Review of Lead Phase Out for Air Quality Improvement in the Third World Cities Lessons from Thailand and Indonesia

Studies in Regional Science ◽

10.2457/srs.36.527 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 527-541 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Keiko HIROTA

Keyword(s):

Quality Improvement ◽

Air Quality ◽

Third World ◽

World Cities ◽

The Third ◽

Air Quality Improvement ◽

The Third World ◽

Phase Out ◽

Lead Phase

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Long term airborne lead pollution monitoring in Bandung, Indonesia

International Journal of PIXE ◽

10.1142/s0129083514400087 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 (03n04) ◽

pp. 151-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Muhayatun Santoso ◽

Diah Dwiana Lestiani ◽

Syukria Kurniawati ◽

A. Markwitz ◽

W. J. Trompetter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Pollution Monitoring ◽

Great Success ◽

Leaded Gasoline ◽

Filter Unit ◽

The Government ◽

Phase Out ◽

The Impact ◽

Airborne Lead

Lead poisoning is one of the environmental problems affecting human health. In Indonesia, leaded gasoline was completely phased out since July 2006. As part of an air pollution study, Pb monitoring was carried out from 2005 to 2012 in Bandung to assess the impact of the use of unleaded gasoline on the Pb level in the ambient air in Indonesia. Airborne particulate samples were collected using a Gent stacked filter unit sampler in two size fractions of [Formula: see text] (fine) and 2.5 to [Formula: see text] (coarse). Black carbon (BC) was determined by reflectance and elemental analysis was performed using particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The results showed that the annual averages of lead concentrations in the fine particulate matter in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were 44.53, 27.06, 22.21, 17.75, 17.21, 16.24, 19.25 and 12.69 [Formula: see text], respectively. The airborne lead concentrations showed a declining trend over the years after implementation of the government policy of phasing out leaded gasoline. After six years of monitoring, the lead concentration in PM2.5 was decreased by over 70% compared to samples collected before July 2006. The average of PM mass, BC and elemental concentrations are also presented and discussed. The significant decrease of Pb concentration in the ambient air of Bandung is a great success story of the phase out of leaded gasoline in Indonesia.

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Lead concentrations in antlers of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from an agricultural area in Northern Germany over a 119-year period—a historical biomonitoring study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-021-14538-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Catharina Ludolphy ◽

Uwe Kierdorf ◽

Horst Kierdorf

Keyword(s):

World War Ii ◽

Roe Deer ◽

Capreolus Capreolus ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Northern Germany ◽

Lower Saxony ◽

Leaded Gasoline ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Gasoline Lead ◽

Phase Out

AbstractWe analyzed the lead content in antlers of 90 adult European roe bucks (Capreolus capreolus) that had been culled between 1901 and 2019 in an agricultural-dominated hunting district in Lower Saxony (Northern Germany). Antler lead values ranged between 0.2 and 10.9 mg/kg dry weight. Median lead concentration was highest after World War II, during a period (1956–1984) of rapidly increasing mass motorization and use of leaded gasoline. Lead levels in antlers decreased markedly after the phase-out of leaded gasoline, but high values were still found in some recently collected antlers. This could indicate persistent lead pollution from former use of lead additives to gasoline, other traffic-related sources, or from agricultural sources (e.g., sewage sludge, fertilizers). This study highlights the suitability of analyzing roe deer antlers for the historical monitoring of changing lead levels in the environment. By collecting antlers and providing them for study, local hunters can significantly contribute to environmental surveillance and the monitoring of environmental pollution by bone-seeking contaminants.

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