FILL IT... SHUT IT... FORGET IT NOT...

At one stage lead which was considered to be a wonder chemical, is now withdrawn as its harmful effect on health were known. Nikhil Mishra reports on lead free petrol.

Delhi becomes lead free so that your life may become worry free is 'the slogan which the Environment Pollution control authority for National Capital Region has been publicizing Since the middle of August. To meet Supreme Court directive to stop the sale of leaded petrol from the midnight of August 31.

Use of leaded fuel in Delhi has been banned by a government order following protests by Non Governmental Organizations and concerned citizens over the ever increasing vehicular pollution in the capital.

But by providing unleaded petrol the problem itself is not solved it can be curtailed because heavy vehicles which ply on Delhi roads (i.e., buses, trucks, canters and even some of the cars) are using diesel. As far as pollution is concerned Indian diesel is not of good standard and is considered a major air pollutant. "Even unleaded petrol which we are providing seems not of good quality" said a petrol pump dealer on the terms of anonymity.

In Delhi itself many petrol pumps were already selling unleaded petrol from the year 1994 and since almost all the pumps are getting only unleaded petrol for the past one week it is quite sure that petrol will have no lead contents from September 1.

It is necessary to check out that there is no leaded petrol in your petrol tank before you check in to get unleaded petrol. The lead content in leaded petrol isat least 0.15 grams per litre while the unleaded petrol will have a content of 0.013 grams pet litre of lead and will not be completely unleaded.

Earlier the authorities were asking car owners to get catalytic converters for use of unleaded petrol which so far is being used by cars with catalytic converters only.

GET TO THE FACT

48.8% of all vehicles in India are to be found in Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta

By 2000 AD, 53 million cars will choke urban India.

1,300 metric tonnes of pollutants are huffed into Delhi's skies everyday

The automobile industry-spends just 1.1% of its turnover on research and development.

The converter helps in changing certain gases into carbon dioxide and water, which is not harmful for humans.

Otherwise carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and Benzene are produced which are hazardous for human beings.

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