The World Bank is pushing for a world phaseout of leaded gasoline to reduce health problems faced by 1.7 billion persons in developing countries.
Managing Director Caio Koch-Weser said, "The benefits of doing away with leaded gasoline are immediate and measurable and far outweigh the costs.
"Conversion to unleaded gasoline could be carried out within 5 years if countries commit themselves to a comprehensive phaseout program. The challenge is to change the incentives to petroleum refineries and gasoline users."
The bank said phasing out lead could cost about 2¢/l., and the expense would decline over time. It said, "If governments allow refiners to earn a reasonable rate of return on their investment, financing is usually available from commercial sources."
Target nations
The bank is urging nations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and eastern Europe that still use large amounts of lead in gasoline to take the first step of reducing their gasoline lead content to 0.15 g/l. or less. That would be followed by introduction of incentives to speed elimination of lead.
The World Bank has been working with the governments of its client nations to reduce lead exposure, taking an active role in public education and policy efforts.
The bank said it could help governments design feasible lead phaseout schedules and incentive frameworks. It also can facilitate intergovernmental cooperation and help broker financial packages through loans and guarantees and by attracting private investments.
Koch-Weser said in developing nations all urban children under the age of 2 and more than 80% of those between 3 and 5 are suspected of having blood levels above the World Health Organization standards. About 15-18 million children in those countries may suffer permanent brain damage due to lead poisoning.
Adults exposed to lead in the environment can suffer neurological damage, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Sources, problem cities
World Bank said leaded gasoline causes about 90% of airborne lead pollution in cities, with the balance coming from factories and power plants. Other sources of lead exposure include lead pipes, lead based solders in water supply systems, and lead based paint and ceramics.
Major cities with the highest lead levels are Algiers, Cairo, Cape Town, Jakarta, Jeddah, Karachi, Lagos, Lima, Mexico City, and Nairobi.
Countries that have banned leaded gasoline include Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Japan, Slovakia, Sweden, and the U.S. With World Bank support, Thailand banned leaded gasoline last year after converting its refinery production to unleaded fuel.
The topic of lead in gasoline will be at center stage this month at a United Nations conference in Istanbul.
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