06-11-2024, 11:55 PM
People knew that leaded gasoline was dangerous as early as the 1920s, when it was invented:
Despite these warnings, leaded gasoline was sold for decades:
Leaded gasoline was the primary fuel type in the United States until 1975. It was eventually banned in road vehicles in California in 1992 and nationwide in 1996. Algeria was the last country to ban leaded gasoline in 2021.
- Public health experts warned
Public health experts questioned the decision to sell leaded gasoline, with some calling it a "malicious and creeping" poison.
- Children were affected
Children exposed to high levels of lead suffered devastating health consequences.
- The dangers of lead were well known
The dangers of lead were well known by the early 1920s, with Charles Dickens and Benjamin Franklin writing about lead poisoning.
- Workers were affected
In 1924, 24 workers at a refinery in Bayway, New Jersey became severely lead poisoned, with six dying.
Despite these warnings, leaded gasoline was sold for decades:
- Thomas Midgley Jr. campaigned to convince the world it was safe
The inventor of leaded gasoline, Thomas Midgley Jr., campaigned to convince the world that it was safe.
- The industry downplayed the warnings
The car and gas industry downplayed the warnings, with General Motors calling the media's coverage a "campaign of publicity".
Leaded gasoline was the primary fuel type in the United States until 1975. It was eventually banned in road vehicles in California in 1992 and nationwide in 1996. Algeria was the last country to ban leaded gasoline in 2021.
