THE WORLD Bank will require more environmental protection by Asian loan recipients. The bank might demand the use of unleaded gasoline and better traffic management and might even require recycling of solid waste.

The bank paints a particularly dismal picture of Asia and estimates approximately $38 billion a year is needed till 2000 to clean up the environment of Asian countries. It notes water and air pollution, solid waste management and inappropriate land use are the key issues that need attention in Asian cities.