What is it about?
The continued sale of only leaded gasoline in Venezuela by the state-owned petroleum company (PDVSA) has caused significant adverse health effects for a large segment of society. Despite producing and exporting unleaded gasoline, PDVSA imports lead additives. Although the Venezuelangovernment has pledged to offer unleaded gasoline for its internal market, this will not occur in the foreseeable future and both the economic and health costs are likely to be large.
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Why is it important?
Cars manufactured in the United States, Western Europe, and Japan (the only three sources for imported cars in Venezuela) are designed to use only unleaded gasoline, and must have their catalytic converters removed upon arrival in Venezuela.
Perspectives
Shows how a nonsensical policy has a detrimental environmental impact.
Dr. Aldemaro Romero, Jr.
University of Miami
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Environmental Impact of Leaded Gasoline in Venezuela, The Journal of Environment & Development, December 1996, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/107049659600500404.
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