News In Brief

EPA proposes stiff reduction in amount of lead in gasoline

The Environmental Protection Agency proposed regulations Monday to reduce the amount of lead in gasoline 91 percent by Jan. 1, 1986, and said it may ban the fuel additive entirely by 1995 as a health danger.

Leaded gasoline accounts for about 45 percent of refiners' current production. It was developed 60 years ago to make car engines run better, but technological changes and an emphasis on lighter cars with smaller engines have the need for it.