Why are household paints and petrol now lead free?

Lead Paints and Leaded Gas

Lead is a serious health hazard. It can cause a myriad of health problems, (kidney failure, pulmonary, cardiac disease, brain atrophy/damage, and so on. It is still a problem for many people especially children, living in low-income substandard housing.

The switch from leaded petrol to unleaded petrol was due to the introduction of catalytic converters in the exhaust systems in the early 1970s. Lead based anti-knock compounds would contaminate the catalyst in the catalytic converter by leaving a thin coating of lead on or reacting with catalyst rendering it ineffective and ultimately causing the converter to clog. Older vehicles without converters were allowed to continue using leaded fuel until it was phased out in the mid 1980s.

The thought that this lead was also getting into our air and contributing to the build-up in our bodies was not considered until later.

In the mid 1990s, imported vinyl mini-blinds were found to be another source of lead in the home. Lead is added to stabilize the plastic used in the mini-blinds. Over time this plastic deteriorates from sunlight and heat exposure to form lead dust on the surface of the blind.

First answer by Leslie. Last edit by ID3526478788. Question popularity: 147 [recommend question]