The last country has stopped selling leaded petrol
Leaded petrol is no longer available in any country around the world, the United Nations' Environment Program (UNEP) says.
The toxic fuel has contaminated air, dust, soil, drinking water and food crops for the better part of a century after being introduced in 1922 to improve engine performance.
It has been linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer and harmful effects on brain development.
READ MORE: UK to ban petrol car sales by 2030 as part of green plan
A petrol pump in rural Australia, pictured in 1999 before leaded petrol was completely phased out. Quentin Jones
The now complete ban on its use could prevent more than 1.2 million premature deaths per year, according to the UNEP.
Most high-income countries started phasing out leaded fuel in the 1980s.
Leaded petrol was completely banned in Australia by 2002.
Australia did not completely ban leaded petrol until 2002. Nine
Almost two decades later, Algeria became the last nation to stop selling leaded petrol in July this year.
"The successful enforcement of the ban on leaded petrol is a huge milestone for global health and our environment," Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, said.
"Overcoming a century of deaths and illnesses that affected hundreds of millions and degraded the environment worldwide, we are invigorated to change humanity's trajectory for the better through an accelerated transition to clean vehicles and electric mobility."
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
