asked the Minister for the Environment the present level of lead in petrol being used in the State; and how this compares with other European States.
Written Answers. - Petrol Lead Level.
696.
EEC Council Directive No. 78/611/EEC of 29 June 1978 provides that the maximum lead content of petrol placed on the community internal market shall be 0.40 grammes per litre. The setting of lower limits is permitted, provided that these are not lower than 0.15 grammes per litre.
Regulations entitled the European Communities Lead Content of Petrol (Amendment) Regulations, 1982, provided that 0.40 grammes per litre should be the maximum lead content of petrol placed on the Irish market. I understand that the maximum in the other member states of the European Community are as follows:
Country |
Grammes per litre |
Belgium |
0.40 |
Denmark |
0.15 |
France |
0.40 |
Germany |
0.15 |
Greece |
0.40 |
Italy |
0.40 |
Luxembourg |
0.40 |
Netherlands |
0.40 |
United Kingdom |
0.40 |