<P> In most industrialized countries , a phaseout of TEL from road vehicle fuels was completed by the early 2000s because of concerns over air and soil lead levels and the accumulative neurotoxicity of lead . The use of catalytic converters , mandated in the US for 1975 and newer model - year cars to meet tighter emissions regulations , started a gradual phase - out of leaded gasoline in the US . The need for TEL was lessened by several advances in automotive engineering and petroleum chemistry . Safer methods for making higher octane blending stocks such as reformate and iso - octane reduced the need to rely on TEL , as did other antiknock additives of varying toxicity including metallic compounds such as MMT as well as oxygenates including MTBE , TAME , and ETBE . </P>
<P> In most industrialized countries , a phaseout of TEL from road vehicle fuels was completed by the early 2000s because of concerns over air and soil lead levels and the accumulative neurotoxicity of lead . The use of catalytic converters , mandated in the US for 1975 and newer model - year cars to meet tighter emissions regulations , started a gradual phase - out of leaded gasoline in the US . The need for TEL was lessened by several advances in automotive engineering and petroleum chemistry . Safer methods for making higher octane blending stocks such as reformate and iso - octane reduced the need to rely on TEL , as did other antiknock additives of varying toxicity including metallic compounds such as MMT as well as oxygenates including MTBE , TAME , and ETBE . </P>
when did the uk stop selling leaded petrol
when did the uk stop selling leaded petrol
early 2000s
early 2000s