Regional Conference on the Phase-Out of Leaded Gasoline in Sub-Saharan Africa : Proceedings

Leaded gasoline is the greatest single
source of human exposure to lead, and as such, the health
impacts of lead are serious, affecting, and causing elevated
blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, neurological and
kidney disease, among many others. While over eighty percent
of the gasoline sold worldwide is now lead-free, Africa
remains the exception. The specific objectives of the
regional conference on the phase-out of leaded gasoline in
Sub-Saharan Africa were to raise awareness about the health
impacts of leaded gasoline, and build consensus among
stakeholders on the technical, regulatory, institutional,
economic issues, and the priorities for implementing lead
phase-out programs, in addition to develop action plans to
phase-out leaded gasoline, with a timetable, and monitoring
indicators. The proceedings include the topics covered at
the conference, i.e., air quality monitoring, environmental
lead levels in African cities, and air quality guidelines,
and monitoring programs. Regarding pricing and regulatory
issues, topics addressed covered economic and financial
incentives; regulation, standards, and enforceable balance,
while policy strategies included the promotion of public
transport, land use control, and city planning. Cases
studies were explored regarding successful programs of lead
phase-outs, covering oil importing and exporting countries
with, or without refineries.