Leaded gasoline health hazards

One of these examples is again the technically important catalytic converter. If sulfur is present in the engine exhaust gas because of impurities in the gasoline and the motor oil, all the SO2 formed during combustion is converted to SO3 over the catalyst—potentially leading to health hazards in urban areas. Olsson and Schoeoen (27) found that SO3 formation on Pt and Rh monoliths was largely suppressed when the CO/SO2 oxidation was carried out under conditions in which autonomous oscillations occur. In this case, oscillatory operation has a positive effect on the selectivity of the catalyst. 

The burning of large quantities of gasoline starting in the 1950s caused lead deposits to occur in the soil. The widespread use of leaded gasoline was becoming a health hazard. 

At one time, very large amounts of lead were used in the production of tetraethyl lead, a compound that reduces the amount of knocking in an internal combnstion engine. The problem with tetraethyl lead, however, is that it tends to break down within an engine, releasing free lead to the environment. Because of the health hazards that lead poses for humans and other animals, tetraethyl lead has been banned for use as a gasoline additive. 

The main catalyst site poison for many years was tetraethyllead [78-00-2]y C H ven after use of unleaded gasoline. Not only is lead a catalyst poison, but automotive source lead is also a health hazard (66). The source of this lead came from manufacture and distribution of leaded and unleaded gasoline in common transport equipment and storage facilities (67). In the eady 1990s, so Htde leaded gasoline was being distributed that Pb contamination was approaching zero (<0.26 ppm/L). 

Beginning in the 1920s, the compound tetraethyl lead was added to gasoline to improve performance. Unfortunately, the lead showed up in motor vehicle exhaust, where its inhalation posed a serious health hazard. In response to this problem, the Clean Air Act mandated a reduction in lead emissions. It was also discovered that lead in motor vehicle exhaust tended to coat the surface of the catalyst in the catalytic converter, rendering the catalyst ineffective. To remedy both problems, unleaded gasoline was introduced in 1974. Leaded gasoline continued... 

Air pollution is one of the worst problems caused by industries, agriculture, power stations, aerosols and other chemicals, and coal and other fires. As a result we suffer from headaches, respiratory tract infections and ailments, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, eye problems, and eventually a profound breakdown in health manifested by various cancers. Other environmental hazards include lead from gasoline — which causes hyperactivity and birth defects — acid rain, carbon monoxide poisoning, water pollution, and radiation. Clinical ecologists treat illnesses and disorders that they believe stem from an individual s reaction to these environmental factors. They practice what is known as environmental medicine, and they estimate that between 10 and 30% of the population suffers from some form of ecological disease (Thomas, 1997 and General References). 

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