Relation of blood lead levels and lead in gasoline: an updated systematic review

Abstract

Background Millions of tons of lead were added to gasoline worldwide beginning in 1922, and leaded gasoline has been a major source of population lead exposure. In 1960s, lead began to be removed from automotive gasoline. Removal was completed in 2021. Objectives To determine whether removal of lead from automotive gasoline is associated with declines in population mean blood lead levels (BPb). Methods We examined published studies that reported population blood leaded levels for two or more years, and we calculated average concentrations of lead in gasoline corresponding to the years and locations of the blood lead level measurements. Results Removal of lead from gasoline is associated with declines in BPb in all countries examined. In some countries, BPb continues to fall after lead has been eliminated from gasoline. Following elimination of lead from gasoline, BPb less than 1 μg/dL have been observed in several European and North American countries, and BPb less than 3 μg/dL have been documented in several studies from South America. Discussion There remain many countries for which no multi-year studies of populations BPb have been identified, including all of Central America, high population countries including Pakistan and Indonesia, and major lead producers including Australia and Russia. Conclusion Removal of lead from gasoline has been a public health success. Elimination of lead from gasoline has enabled many countries to achieve population mean BPb levels of 1 μg/dL or lower. These actions have saved lives, increased children’s intelligence and created great economic benefit in countries worldwide.

The Role of TNF-R1-RIPK1/RIPK3 Signaling Pathway in Lead-Induced Necroptosis in the Hippocampus of Mice

“…Epidemiologic investigations have demonstrated that low-level Pb exposure is a risk factor for IQ drops [45,46], cardiovascular disease [47], and hearing loss [48]. According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe blood lead concentration [49]. Various studies showed that Pb could induce cognitive impairment [50][51][52], as well as AD-related neuropathological changes [53], and nerve cell damage is the basis of its pathology.…”

Effects of Non-Essential “Toxic” Trace Elements on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Narrative Overview of Recent Literature Syntheses

“…Humans are exposed to lead via inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, though through the dermal route, lead poisoning is unlikely [ 26 ]. Due to its toxicity, lead is being phased out of gasoline worldwide [ 27 , 28 ] and reduced in many other areas of previous use. However, exposure is still common, especially in areas close to mining areas [ 29 ], landfills, and industrial or hazardous waste site.…”

Hazardous elements in road dust from petrol stations in Rzeszów (Poland) as markers of traffic-related pollution? Application of FP-XRF spectrometry as ‘white analytical technique’ for environmental assessment of hazardous elements in road dust

“…It is worth paying attention to the presence of Pb in the range of 3.78 μg/g ± 3,05 -45.930 ± 2.87. μg/g, which may be characteristic of the dust coming from the fuel stations. It should be taken into account that from the 1960s Pb is removed from gasoline, but removal was completed in the 2021 (Angrand et al 2022). According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Pb may be from lead paint used (eg, painted fuel pump curb edges) that has deteriorated in the form of chips and dust or from previous renovation activities and has ended up in dust with lead or from the past (eg, dust coming from the vicinity of the road as a result of emissions into the air from vehicles fuelled with leaded petrol) (US EPA 2013).…”