Although the U.S. and other developed countries began
phasing out leaded gas in the 1980s, the same was not true for developing nations.
As a result of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) headed up the task of eliminating leaded gas through
a public-private partnership, which helped developing and transitional
countries phase out leaded gasoline.
According
to UNEP, the study shows the benefits of the near-global elimination of
leaded gas:
- 1.2 million fewer premature deaths per year and 90% reduction in lead in blood levels.
- 58 million fewer crimes.
- $2.4 trillion costs saved per year.
