Income, Liberties, Idiosyncrasies, and the Decline of Leaded Gasoline, 1972 to 1992

Abstract

Nations now stand at very different stages of the phaseout process. Some have completely removed lead from their gasoline supplies. Others still add significant amounts of lead. This article analyzes the differences in phaseout progress. It considers three factors that might encourage the reduction of gasoline lead levels. Those factors are income, liberties, and idiosyncrasies. This article reaches three conclusions. First, contrary to a good deal of theory, income appears not to be a very important determinant of gasoline lead levels. Second, there seems to be an important link between phaseout progress and liberties (political and civil). Conclusions concerning the lead/liberties link must, however, be regarded as preliminary. Third, idiosyncratic factors—factors that encourage phaseout but are unique to one nation or a small group of nations— can explain a good deal of phaseout progress.