Govt should monitor petrol stations

Apr 08, 2009

Unleaded petrol is petrol that does not contain lead. Lead was originally put in petrol to prevent knocking in the engine and to promote smooth running.

Sarah Akankwasa

Unleaded petrol is petrol that does not contain lead. Lead was originally put in petrol to prevent knocking in the engine and to promote smooth running.

Unleaded petrol has a slightly lower octane rating than leaded petrol, but it has other compounds added so that performance is not really impaired. It has the advantage that it does not release lead compounds into the atmosphere from exhaust fumes.

Lead is a health hazard to the environment and human beings. Humans are exposed to lead by inhaling the petrol fumes from cars and the fumes can contaminate food and water.

Most lead pollution found in foods is caused directly by the fallout of airborne lead particles originating from petrol fumes.

Nature provides natural barriers in the roots of food crops which largely prevent the uptake of lead found in the soil,

However, airborne lead fallout is especially dangerous because it bypasses these natural barriers.

Crops grown near busy roads with heavy traffic have significantly higher concentrations of lead deposited on them. Consuming such contaminated fruit or vegetable and meat from farm animals grazed on polluted grass, can result in considerable body burden of lead. During the recent years, lead content in food and tap water has increased.

Young children are particularly vulnerable because lead causes mental retardation in children. Lead oxide from car exhaust accumulates in soil near roads and children can get it on their hands by playing outside

Leaded petrol has been banned in Europe and the US. In Uganda, leaded petrol is still used in petrol stations however, some petrol stations have tried to do away with leaded petrol.

There is always a note at petrol stations that have leaded petrol saying unleaded petrol not available.

People should stop purchasing unleaded petrol in order to save our health and environment. It is also prudent for the Government to come up with a policy to ensure that the petroleum in the country is unleaded.
The writer is the programme assistant of the African Institute for Energy Governance

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