UK to halve lead in petrol
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urges EEC to follow suit
• The lead content of petrol is to be reduced by almost a half in the UK during the next three years — and Britain is to urge Common Market countries to follow our example.
Mr Peter Walker, the Environment Secretary, announced the cuts in the Commons this week. The present maximum permitted content of lead in petrol, 0.84-gm per litre, would be reduced to 0.64 by the end of this year, he said, to 0.55 by the end of 1973 and to 0.45gm per litre by the end of 1975.
The Minister pointed out that the oil industry voluntarily complied with the BritishStandard which laid down the amount of lead and he said both the Oil and motor industries have assured full co-operation in carrying out the programme of reduction. The oil industry has agreed that the programme should be backed by legislation.
Mr Walker told MPs that the Chief Medical Officer of Health had advised that the present levels of lead emission did not constitute a danger to health but that it was desirable that they should not be exceeded and, if possible, should be reduced.
He added that his Department was collaborating with the Department of Trade and Industry and the oil and motor industries in a detailed study of the problems involved in lowering levels still further.
The DoE estimates that compliance with the new levels Should cost no more than lp a gallon in the first stage and about ip for the full reduction.