Leaded fuel disappearing from marketplace

Leaded fuel is disappearing from the marketplace as stockpiles of petroleum products containing the toxic additive are exhausted, says an energy ministry official.

However, the official refused to take the next step and declare Bangladesh a lead-free fuel country.

"There could be some old stocks in the private sector which haven't been exhausted yet," said the official. "Before we officially announce the country's fuel is lead free, we must conduct some tests on the petrol and octane samples collected from the market."

Early last year, environmentalists and doctors raised the issue of air pollution and the consequences of lead poisoning. The government decided to phase out leaded fuel and stop the import of two-stroke engines, which pollute more than other types.

However, Bangladesh imports petroleum products roughly every six months, which means leaded fuel was used across the country until the stocks were exhausted.

Eastern Refinery renovated its processing plant after the government's decision. Its products no longer contain lead.

"We have tested the petrol and octane reserves at Padma-Meghna-Jamuna (the distributors) and found no lead," said a source with Eastern Refinery. "We can assure the public that all petroleum products are supplied by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation through the Eastern Refinery. Eastern Refinery no longer uses lead to improve the quality of its petroleum products, so there is no leaded petrol in the country.

"We now have a Tk 100 crore proposal to expand and modernise the plant to meet the country's future needs. This will help us refine petroleum products with higher octane numbers (the higher octane number means higher burning capacity - the present petrol range between 78 to 95).

Lead is used to refine imported crude oil or improve the burning quality of petroleum products. However, it is also a lethal substance that can cause paralysis or death when inhaled. It's impossible for someone to mix lead with petrol or octane outside the refinery.

"Besides, nobody would make any money mixing lead with fuel," said the source.

Although unleaded fuel is taking over the market, the government wants motorists to consider another environmentally friendly alternative -- compressed natural gas.

"We have taken steps to increase the number of compressed natural gas stations from 4 to 50," said the energy ministry source. "The Nirapad bus service between Uttara and Gulistan also uses compressed natural gas."

Converting vehicles to compressed natural gas would expand the local gas market, reduce public fuel costs and ensure a cleaner environment, he said.