Why did petrol become unleaded?

Leaded petrol was phased out due to concerns about its negative impact on public health and the environment. Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health problems, including brain damage, learning disabilities, and kidney problems. It can also accumulate in the environment, where it can be ingested by animals and humans.

The use of lead in petrol was first introduced in the early 20th century to improve the performance of engines. However, it soon became clear that the benefits of lead were outweighed by its risks. In the United States, the Clean Air Act of 1970 required the gradual reduction of lead in petrol, and unleaded petrol became the standard by the mid-1980s.

Most European countries banned leaded petrol in the 1990s, and it is now banned in most countries around the world. Unleaded petrol is now the standard fuel for most vehicles, and the use of lead in petrol is a thing of the past.