EFFECTS ON MINORITY AND LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS OF THE EPA PROPOSAL TO REDUCE LEADED GASOLINE USE

To reduce the potentially harmfull environmental effects of lead in the environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a reduction in the amount of lead used in leaded gasoline. This report examines the potential impacts of such action on minority and low-income households in the US. The benefits of the EPA's proposal would presumably accrue primarily to households that contain small children and that are located in the central cities of metropolitan areas. This is because small children (under age seven) are particularly susceptible to the effects of lead and also because the automobile traffic density in central cities is higher than in any other area. Potential costs are examined in terms of households that own vehicles requiring leaded gasoline. Costs could accrue either because of higher vehicle repair costs for engines that must be use leaded gasoline to prevent excessive wear. Because of their location and number, minority and low-income households with small children would benefit more than the average US household. No costs would be incurred by the relatively large segment of minority and low-income households that own no vehicles. However, the Hispanic and other minority (except black) and low-income households that do own vehicles have a greater than average share of vehicles that require leaded gasoline; costs to these households because of the EPA's proposed action would be comparatively high.

• Corporate Authors:

  Argonne National Laboratory

  9700 South Cass Avenue
  Argonne, IL  United States  60439
• Authors:
  • ROSE, K
  • Labelle, S
  • Winter, R
  • Klein, Y
• Publication Date: 1985-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Children; Crash exposure; Economic impacts; Health; Households; Impact studies; Leaded gasoline; Legislation; Minorities; Motor vehicles; Operating costs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Exposure; Prohibitions
• Subject Areas: Economics; Geotechnology; Highways; Law; Materials; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00454414
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Energy Research Abstracts
• Report/Paper Numbers: AN4EES-TM-289
• Contract Numbers: W-31-109-ENG-38
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1986 12:00AM