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August 31, 2021

U.N. Hails End to Worldwide Use of Toxic Leaded Gasoline
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The United Nations says the world's last stockpile of leaded gasoline
has been burned up, completing a worldwide phaseout of the toxic
additive tetraethyl lead after a century of use. The fuel additive
improved engine performance but led to the widespread contamination of
air, water and soil. The U.N. said the phaseout of leaded gasoline will
protect children from brain damage and will prevent more than 1.2
million premature deaths each year from heart disease, strokes and
cancer. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called on
nations to build on the environmental victory.

Secretary-General António Guterres: "We must now turn the same
commitment to ending the triple crisis of climate disruption,
biodiversity loss and pollution. We need to shift from fossil fuels to
renewable energy. We need global mobility with no emissions at all."



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