Posted by David Sherman on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at 2:01PM :
In Reply to: Here's an additive for sale that does contain TEL posted by jack cain on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at 12:28PM :
For example, they say "Practically all the lead content is burned and deposited on the valves and valve seats, leaving the environment virtually lead free. The sun quickly decomposes any remaining trace of lead."
Both of these statements are false. If all the lead (60 grams/quart) stuck to the valves and seats, they'd be fouled very quickly. The fact is, the lead is indeed burned, but most of it goes out the tailpipe as lead oxides, which are the most harmful form. Metallic lead and lead sulphides (galena ore) aren't nearly as bad. As for the sun decomposing the lead, lead is an ELEMENT, not a COMPOUND. The only way to decompose a pure element is in a nuclear reaction. Lead can sit in the sun forever and it will still be lead.
If their environmental claims are so bogus, I have to wonder about the rest of their claims as well. Like maybe it doesn't really even have TEL in it at all.