Unleaded: How Changing Our Gasoline Changed Everything

The book "Unleaded" explores how the U.S. government allowed the use of leaded gasoline for over half a century, leading to a nationwide epidemic of lead poisoning. It reveals how scientific experts paid by the oil and mining industries abused their authority to convince the public that leaded gasoline was harmless, and how this exposure affects the developing brains of children and is linked to social problems. The book highlights the importance of sound science and strong environmental regulations to protect vulnerable populations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2021
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

In the 1920s, when leaded gasoline was first developed, medical experts swiftly raised concerns about the public health catastrophes it would bring. However, government regulators chose to disregard their advice, resulting in the widespread use of leaded gasoline for over half a century. This decision contributed to a nationwide epidemic of lead poisoning, affecting millions of Americans. By the 1970s, a staggering 99.8% of American children had significantly elevated levels of lead in their blood, posing a severe threat to their health and development.

Unleaded: The Battle Against Lead Additives in Gasoline is a compelling documentary that tells the story of how crusading scientists and activists successfully convinced the U.S. government to ban lead additives in gasoline. It also exposes how, for nearly fifty years, scientific experts paid by the oil and mining industries abused their authority to deceive the public into believing that leaded gasoline was perfectly harmless.

Combining environmental history, sociology, and neuroscience, Carrie Nielsen delves into the profound effects of lead exposure on the developing brains of children, linking it to social problems such as academic failure, teen pregnancies, and violent crime. The film highlights how even after the nationwide outrage over Flint's polluted water, many poor and minority communities, as well as communities of color across the United States, continue to face dangerously high lead levels.

Unleaded serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of sound science and strong environmental regulations in protecting our nation's most vulnerable populations. It sheds light on the historical and ongoing efforts to address the legacy of lead poisoning and promote public health and safety. The film encourages viewers to advocate for policies that prioritize the protection of human health and the environment, and to hold those responsible for environmental harm accountable.

In conclusion, Unleaded is a must-watch documentary for anyone interested in environmental issues, public health, and the fight against environmental injustice. It provides a compelling account of the history and consequences of lead exposure, and serves as a call to action for individuals and communities to take action to protect themselves and their loved ones from the harmful effects of lead.

Weight: 395g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978821019