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From Africa Recovery, Vol.17 #1 (May 2003), page 28 ENVIRONMENT Most African countries will be using lead-free petrol, or come close to phasing out the hazardous heavy metal, within five years, according to a survey by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The UNEP survey reports that Egypt, Libya, Mauritius and Sudan are already fully lead-free, and indicates that Tunisia, the French territory of Réunion off Africa's east coast, and Morocco and Western Sahara will join them this year. "This is one of, if not the first, concrete outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development," UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer said in February. The summit, held last year in Johannesburg, called for the rapid, global phasing out of the pollutant. African countries agreed several months earlier to phase out the use of leaded fuel by 2005. Although about 90 per cent of the world's petrol supplies
are now unleaded, the remaining 10 per cent is concentrated in
developing countries, especially in Africa. "It has been
known for many years that lead in petrol or gasoline is a serious
health risk, particularly to children," Mr. Toepfer said.
"This is why it has been phased out and banned in countries
in Western Europe, North America, parts of the Far East and elsewhere.
But much of Africa ... has lagged behind," including for
technological reasons and a lack of awareness of the health risks.
He added that the situation is rapidly changing and "a lead-free
Africa is in sight." This article may be freely reproduced, with attribution to
"Africa Recovery, United Nations". Africa Recovery Tel: (212) 963-6857
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