Lead from petrol in Asian countries

Sources of airborne lead can be inferred from the ratio of that element's stable isotopes. Although this correlation has been known for more than 25 years, few studies of airborne lead isotope ratios for Asian countries have been reported. A new study by Japanese researchers (see p. 1347 of Environ. Sci. Technol. Vol 27, No. 7 1993) of urban air in Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia finds that the continued use of leaded gasoline in most of these countries is the chief source of this metal. However, in China and Korea - where leaded gasoline is still used - coal combustion and pollution from industry contributed significantly to lead levels. In Japan, where leaded gasoline has been banned since 1988, incineration appears to be the major source for lead pollution. §