Unleaded gasoline changeover a complete operational success

The UAE-wide changeover to unleaded gasoline is a complete operational success with over 500 service stations and 750,000 motorists adopting the UAE Goes Green campaign said Dr. Saad Al Numairy, Environmental Advisor, UAE Federal Environmental Agency and Chairman, Committee of Public Awareness for the Introduction of Unleaded Gasoline.

Dr. Saad was speaking at a press briefing in Dubai today to explain the tremendous environmental benefits the changeover will bring to the UAE society. He was joined at the briefing by Ms. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson, Emirates Environmental Group and Dr. Meshgan Al Awar, Director of Research at the Dubai Police Academy, who gave a big thumbs up to the UAE Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and the petroleum retailing companies who worked as one team to make the move a success.

"The changeover to unleaded gasoline from January 1, 2003 marks a new chapter in the environmental friendly initiatives taken by the UAE Government especially as the number of vehicles in the country increases and the rate of gasoline consumption grows leading to a negative health impact due to gases emitted from vehicle exhausts that use leaded gasoline," Dr. Saad said.

Explaining the health benefits of the changeover, he said: "It is well known that lead exists naturally in the surrounding environment as a result of burning fuel, mining and other industrial activity. Due to its anti-rust properties, lead is used in a number of industries such as paints, batteries, metal products, conductors, water pipes and sun protective devices used in hospitals and health centres.

In a similar way, lead used to be added to gasoline to improve the performance of motor engines because it decreases the octane number and lubricates the valves.

"In spite of the many benefits of lead when used in other industries, the lead pollution due to gases emitted from vehicle exhausts using leaded gasoline has a detrimental effect on human health. Exposure to such gases is especially dangerous to children. That is the reason why the UAE Government issued a federal decree for the changeover in 2001 which was in accordance with the decision taken at the 19th GCC session held in Abu Dhabi in 1998 to completely changeover to unleaded gasoline in all the six Gulf states," Dr. Saad said.

"The benefits of ceasing production and distribution of leaded gasoline are immediate and measurable, and far outweigh the costs, which have been subsidised by the UAE Government at no added cost to the consumer," he explained.

"Based on the findings of other environmentally aware countries, we know that the move to unleaded gasoline will have a very positive impact on the environment here. It is a move we welcome and it is a project that we as environmentalists have had great pride in," said Dr. Saad.

"With all modern cars created to run on unleaded gasoline the eventual complete worldwide phase-out of leaded gasoline is inevitable," said Habiba Al Marashi. "In many areas of the world, leaded gasoline is long gone, it is great to see the UAE joining a growing community of other environmentally aware and responsible countries worldwide and we look forward to a happier and healthier future," she said.

Agreeing with Al Marashi, Dr Meshgan Al Awar said: "In my new position as Director of the Research Centre at Dubai Police Academy, I have researched the subject of gasoline emissions for many years now.

"I have always supported a move to unleaded gasoline. January 1, 2003 is a very significant day in the history of this country and we welcome further vehicle related environmental improvements in the future. The introduction of catalytic converters in all new imported cars from 2002 is another significant environmental move," Dr. Awar concluded.

The UAE Goes Green campaign, which started in December 2002, has provided guidelines on the changeover to over 750,000 UAE motorists. Almost one million guidebooks have been distributed, 6000 calls have been received by the toll free green line and over 10,000 motorists visited the www.uaegoesgreen.com website.