lyijyttöä

Lyijyttöä refers to unleaded gasoline, a type of fuel that does not contain tetraethyllead. Lead was historically added to gasoline as an antiknock agent to increase octane rating and prevent engine knocking. However, leaded gasoline was phased out due to its detrimental effects on human health and the environment. The combustion of leaded gasoline released lead compounds into the atmosphere, which are toxic and can cause neurological damage, especially in children.

The transition to unleaded gasoline began in the 1970s and gained momentum worldwide in the following decades. This shift necessitated changes in engine design and refining processes. Vehicles designed to run on leaded gasoline often required modifications or replacement to accommodate unleaded fuel. The widespread adoption of unleaded gasoline has significantly reduced lead pollution and improved air quality in many regions.

The term "lyijyttöä" directly translates from Finnish as "lead-free." While the primary association is with gasoline, the concept of being lead-free can extend to other products where lead was historically used, such as paints, plumbing, and solders. However, in common usage, particularly in the context of transportation and fuel, lyijyttöä specifically denotes the absence of lead in gasoline.