EFFECT OF THE REDUCTION OF PETROL LEAD ON THE BLOOD LEAD LEVELS OF SOUTH AFRICANS

Lead has no metabolic role in the human body and its presence is assoc iated with various toxic effects. Several countries have responded to this health hazard reducing petrol lead additives or entirely eliminat ing them. Studies have shown that there has been a resultant fall in b lood lead levels of the particular populations. This study reports on the progressive decline in blood lead levels of South Africans during the period 1984-1990 which coincided with a stepwise reduction in petr ol lead additives from 0.8 g/l to 0.4 g/l. During this period the bloo d lead levels of Cape Town city dwellers decreased significantly (P < 0.01) from 9.7 mug/dl to 7.2 mug/dl. This blood lead level compares fa vourably with that of other more industrialized countries with less le ad in their petrol. Therefore, the authors question the need for furth er reduction of petrol lead content bearing in mind the considerable f inancial burden that such a step will entail and the dubious health ad vantage that may be gained.