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Unleaded petroleum, Is good for health, environment. |
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Unleaded petrol is petrol manufactured without the addition of a substance called anti-knock, a compound containing lead that was originally put in petrol to prevent knocking in the engine and to promote smooth running
Un leaded 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 causes toxic effects particularly in the brain that are irreversible and children are at high risk. Lead therefore is a health hazard to the environment and human being.
Humans are highly exposed to lead through the cars by inhaling the petrol and it’s contamination of food at 65% and water at 20%. Most lead pollution found in foods is caused directly by the fallout of air borne lead particles originating from petrol emissions.
Nature provides natural barriers in the roots of food crops which largely prevent the uptake of lead found in soil, However, airborne lead fallout is especially dangerous because it by passes these natural barriers.Crops grown near heavily roads with heavy traffic have significantly higher concentrations of lead deposited on them, consuming such contaminated fruit or vegetable as well as meat from farm animals grazed on polluted grass can result in considerable body burden of lead.
In the recent years, lead content in food has increased 100-fold and in tap water750-fold tap water. children are particularly vulnerable because children absorb up to half the amount of ingested lead where as adults only absorb 5-10%.This is because young children are notorious for exploring their environment with their mouth for example eating some funny substances along the roads that had been polluted by petrol emissions, this adds to the child’s overall lead contamination.
Lead causes mental retardation in children and therefore such children do not grasp what is taught in class and thus they perform very poorly.
Lead oxide from car exhaust accumulates in soil near roads and children can get it on their hands from playing in the open
Leaded petrol has been banned in Europe and United States.In Uganda,leaded petrol is still used in petrol stations however some petrol stations have tried to do away with leaded petrol especially shell petrol stations. There is always note on petrol stations that have unleaded petrol that is” unleaded petrol available”.
When buying, we should always take precautions at our health, that of children and the environment.
Government should also come up with a policy to ensure aimed at ensuring that petroleum in the country is unleaded so that the careless motorists are prevented from hurting peoples’lives .
Lead from food, air, and water pose a health hazard to humans. Other effects of lead include
• A rise in blood pressure
• Kidney damage
• Miscarriages and subtle abortion
• Declined fertility of men through sperm damage By: Akankwasa Sarah |
