Heindl, of the Institute of Geopathology of South Africa, describes lead-free petrol as a 'poison ejector'. He says that the ban of leaded petrol is not a progressive, environment-friendly initiative as many imagine it to be. Heindl says the most commonly known APNs are benzopyrene, benzo-anthracene, cyren, phenantren and anthracen. Benzol, he says, is absorbed by the human body through the inhaling of gases, but also through the skin and via the stomach and intestinal tract. A concentration will be found in the fatty tissue, bone marrow and central nervous system.
Phenol is a carbolic acid and reacts highly acidic and works like a strong cell poison.
Tiredness, weakness, insomnia, dizziness, nausea and palpitations can result. In advanced cases of bone marrow damage, mucus-membrane bleeding and nose tumours can develop, with a high risk of leukaemia. Heindl quotes a chemist at the German environmental department as saying that all drivers would have to wear gas masks when filling up with ULP, advising that children and other passengers get out before the car enters the filling station, to ensure that they are not coming into contact with these damaging fumes during filling up with unleaded normal or premium petrol. He quotes 'official reports' that state that the average benzol content in large cities and in the blood of its citizens is five to ten times higher than in rural areas. In Germany, where there are no speed restrictions on the highways, oils with good lubrication are needed.