The Petrol That Was Poisoning Children
In the past, petrol used to contain a chemical called lead. This type of petrol was called leaded petrol. Lead was added to petrol to help engines run more smoothly. However, over time, it became clear that this was harming people’s health, especially children.
When cars burned leaded petrol, it released tiny particles of lead into the air. These particles could be breathed in or settle on the ground, getting into the soil and water. Children were particularly at risk because they could easily come into contact with lead while playing outside, and even small amounts could cause serious harm.
Lead poisoning can affect a child’s brain development, making it harder for them to learn, pay attention, or even behave normally. It can cause lifelong damage, including lower intelligence, learning difficulties, and health problems.
As scientists and doctors raised awareness about these dangers, governments around the world, including in the UK, began to take action. They started to phase out leaded petrol in the 1980s and finally banned it altogether in most countries by the early 2000s.
Since then, there has been a significant drop in the levels of lead in the air and in people’s blood. This change has helped protect millions of children from the harmful effects of lead, allowing them to grow up healthier and safer.
Though leaded petrol is no longer used, the damage it caused serves as a reminder of how important it is to be careful about what chemicals we release into the environment.