Lead Pollution From Motor Vehicles 1974-1986: A select bibliography PDF

Introduction

The first cases of lead poisoning were reported in Roman times when use of the metal achieved industrial proportions. Water transport in lead pipes, use of lead in cooking utensils and flavouring of wine with lead, all contributed to lead poisoning of the Roman aristocracy. Although lead poisoning was common in the Middle Ages, it was not until the Industrial Revolution that lead production again increased and an associated increase in lead poisoning, particularly in children, was apparent. Increased use of lead in paint in the 20th century further contributed to the problem of childhood lead poisoning.

Lead pollution of the atmosphere was an inevitable byproduct of the development of the lead industry and with the advent of the motor vehicle the problem was exacerbated. In 1976 in the United States some 217 000 metric tonnes of lead were released to the atmosphere by the combustion of leaded petrol. The release of such vast amounts of lead inevitably leads to a substantial increase in air lead concentration, particularly in urban areas, where children are exposed to lead in the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the food they eat.

In the past 10 years research on this problem has increased substantially, and at the same time pressure groups such as CLEAR (Campaign for Lead Free Air) in the United Kingdom have fought for legislation at national and international levels to control lead in the global environment. A particular aim of such organizations has been to draw attention to the serious effect of leaded petrol.

The bibliography brings together a wide range of material on the problem of environmental lead pollution from motor vehicles published over the past 12 years. Research and surveys from a number of countries are included, and a particularly large section covers the effects of exhaust gas lead on humans, including children. Contributions from Government sources, including the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and the Lawther Report, are listed alongside reports from CLEAR and other organizations, and an especially useful section is that concerning legislation and regulations, which as far as possible outlines the position of the European Economic Community on exhaust gas lead at the end of 1985.

A bibliography of some 400 references cannot hope to be comprehensive, but the author hopes to have captured a representative collection which will enable the research worker, engineer or pressure group to understand the position in 1986 and to identify new areas to consider in the battle against lead in the environment.

The author is grateful to the Head of the Research Library, London Residual Body (ex-GLC) for permission to use both Research Library data-bases ACOMPLINE and URBALINE in the compilation of this bibliography.

Author: P. Farmer