Yemen joins Global Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles [Archives:2006/942/Local News]

SANA'A, April 29 ) Yemen have joined the Global Partnership for Clean flues and Vehicles, stated the Chairman of the Environmental Protection Authority, Mr. Mahmoud M. Shidiwah. “While it is both technically and economically feasible to phase out leaded gasoline in Yemen, there is a need to implement a number of measures to overcome restraints. In supporting this aim we have joined the Global Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles,” he sated.

“Furthermore, we have launched in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme a project aiming at national commitment building to phase out leaded gasoline. Pilot blood lead level measurements will be taken in Sana'a, the results of which will feed into a national workshop,” he added.

Yemen is one of the only 25 countries in the world still using leaded gasoline. Human exposure to lead is a serious health problem. Lead is a hazardous heavy metal and a known neurotoxin. It has been shown that even at a low level of exposure to lead, such as below 10 microgram/dl can cause serious and persistence damage to the nervous system. Children's health is most vulnerable to lead because their nervous systems are not fully developed.

CIM-Expert within the Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr. Lia Sieghart said that

Airborne lead is one of the most serious urban air pollutants in Yemen. More than 85% lead emissions from automobiles consists of highly toxic inorganic lead, which is easily absorbed into the body due to the small size of combustion derived lead particles. “A recent assessment concludes that the annual economic cost of air pollution in Sana'a is estimated at around US$ 100 million. However, the introduction of clean fuels and vehicle technologies would not only benefit the health and environment in the cities, but also contribute to addressing regional and global environmental issues such as transboundary air pollution and global warming,” says Dr. Lia Sieghart.

“The use of leaded fuel prevents the use of catalytic converters. Catalytic converters can be instrumental in improving the air quality in Yemen's cities as they reduce vehicle emissions by more than 90%.” she added.

“We feel, although lead phase-out is expected to be a highly cost-effective measure – particularly in terms of the impact on health and the environment – strong commitment, the appropriate policy intervention, public awareness and understanding forms part of a broad, consensus-building effort,” says the Minister of Water and Environment, Eng. Abdul-Rahman Al-Eryani. “The lack of information and misconceptions concerning the use of unleaded gasoline in older passenger cars presents one of the largest obstacles to changing consumer behavior. We see that efforts need to be concentrated on informing the public on risks posed by lead. Our next aim is the development of a country strategy and an action plan to phase out leaded fuel. The proposed strategy would help identifying the appropriate mix of instruments needed and thereby paying attention to country-specific features,” concludes the Minister.
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