The problem

The government of Tanzania has developed a leaded gas phase-out action plan and it was discussed at a national stakeholders' meeting in Dar es Salaam in September, 2003. The country's planned phase-out of leaded gasoline is part of a larger initiative to ban the use of leaded gasoline in Sub Saharan Africa, as stated in the Dakar Declaration of 2001.

Health Impact

How can lead affect my health?
Scientists use many tests to protect the public from harmful effects of toxic chemicals and to find ways for treating persons who have been harmed.

One way to learn whether a chemical will harm people is to determine how the body absorbs, uses, and releases the chemical. For some chemicals, animal testing may be necessary. Animal testing may also help identify health effects such as cancer or birth defects. Without laboratory animals, scientists would lose a basic method for getting information needed to make wise decisions that protect public health. Scientists have the responsibility to treat research animals with care and compassion. Scientists must comply with strict animal care guidelines because laws today protect the welfare of research animals.

The effects of lead are the same whether it enters the body through breathing or swallowing. The main target for lead toxicity is the nervous system, both in adults and children. Long-term exposure of adults to lead at work has resulted in decreased performance in some tests that measure functions of the nervous system. Lead exposure may also cause weakness in fingers, wrists, or ankles. Lead exposure also causes small increases in blood pressure, particularly in middle-aged and older people. Lead exposure may also cause anemia. At high levels of exposure, lead can severely damage the brain and kidneys in adults or children and ultimately cause death. In pregnant women, high levels of exposure to lead may cause miscarriage. High-level exposure in men can damage the organs responsible for sperm production.

Current Activity

The Lawyers Environmental Action Team has launched an aweness campaign to put pressure on both vendors and the government to comply with the phase-out.

Outcome

Blacksmith Institute has supported the Government of Tanzania to ratify a ban on the selling and importation of leaded gasoline. The government of Tanzania developed a leaded gas phase-out action plan and it was discussed at a Blacksmith supported national stakeholders' meeting in Dar es Salaam in September, 2003.