Chapter 4 Lead in the environment of Central Europe

Abstract

Abstract Lead contamination was identified as one of the most significant environmental problems in Central Europe. Lead adversely affects many organ systems in the human body, especially the nervous system of children, manifesting itself as an impairment of cognitive functions. Therefore, the countries of the region introduced policies to reduce lead use in gasoline. Austria and the Slovak Republic phased out leaded gasoline completely by 1993 and 1995, respectively; the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland have significantly reduced the permissible lead content of gasoline (to 0.15 g/l). These restrictions have resulted in a marked decrease in lead atmospheric emissions and, consequently, in a significant decrease of lead concentrations in ambient air. The reduction of lead emissions contributes to a significant decline in accumulation of lead in various environmental media, especially soil, dust and food, reducing long-term exposures through ingestion. Nevertheless, further measures for reduction of lead are necessary due to its higher local levels. Special attention should be paid to the Upper Silesian Industrial Region in Poland, where lead concentrations in particular environmental compartments are still very high, and the long-range transport of lead emissions from this industrial area contributes also to the contamination of different compartments of the environment and increased human exposure in other areas of Poland as well as in the neighbouring countries.