Airplane Engines And Pollution: What's The Real Damage?

Aircraft engines that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has determined that lead emissions from these engines can reasonably be expected to endanger public health and welfare under the Clean Air Act. Aircraft that use leaded fuel are the dominant source of lead emissions in the air, and exposure to lead can have irreversible and life-long health effects, especially in children. While the EPA's final endangerment finding does not impose restrictions on the use of leaded fuel, it highlights the need for new standards to protect communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft engines.

Leaded aviation gasoline is used in small piston-engine aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers

Aircraft engines that operate on leaded aviation gasoline are a source of air pollution. These are typically small piston-engine aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers and are, on average, 45 to 47 years old. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that lead emissions from these aircraft cause or contribute to air pollution, which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare under the Clean Air Act.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan has stated that "exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children". This is supported by evidence from Rep. Ro Khanna, who highlights that children living near the Reid-Hillview Airport have been found to have lead in their blood.

Despite these findings, the EPA's final endangerment finding does not impose any immediate restrictions on the use, sale, or distribution of leaded fuel. However, it is a step towards proposing new standards to protect communities from the threat of lead pollution from aircraft.

The EPA has determined that lead emissions from aircraft engines cause or contribute to air pollution

On 18 October 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final determination that emissions of lead from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution. The EPA has been investigating emissions of lead from aircraft operating on leaded fuel and the impact of these emissions on lead air pollution, including assessing lead concentrations in air near airports and evaluating the potentially exposed population. The majority of aircraft that operate on leaded fuel are piston-engine aircraft, which are typically small aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers. These aircraft are approximately 45 to 47 years old, on average, depending on the type of aircraft. Jet aircraft used for commercial transport, on the other hand, do not operate on leaded fuel.

The EPA's final determination does not ban or impose restrictions on the use, sale, distribution, dispensing, and general availability of leaded fuel, nor does it establish any new control measures regarding aircraft lead emissions. However, it does mean that the Biden-Harris Administration can move forward in the process to propose new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft.

"The science is clear: exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Aircraft that use leaded fuel are the dominant source of lead emissions in our air. With today's action, the Biden-Harris Administration can move forward in the process to propose new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft."

"Communities where general aviation airports are located –– including in East San Jose –– have suffered from lead exposure and pollution for years," said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA). "Children living near the Reid-Hillview Airport, which has a flight path over my district, have been found to have lead in their blood. This is a public health and environmental crisis. I held a hearing in the House Oversight Committee last year about the urgent need for action. I’m glad to see the EPA release its findings today that confirm the harmful impact of leaded aviation fuel on public health and welfare."

Aircraft that use leaded fuel are the dominant source of lead emissions in the air

The EPA's final determination does not ban or impose restrictions on the use, sale, distribution, dispensing, or general availability of leaded fuel. However, it does provide a basis for the Biden-Harris Administration to propose new standards to protect communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft.

Aircraft that operate on leaded aviation gasoline are typically small piston-engine aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers. These aircraft are approximately 45 to 47 years old, on average, depending on the type of aircraft. Jet aircraft used for commercial transport, on the other hand, do not operate on leaded fuel.

The harmful impact of leaded aviation fuel on public health and welfare has been confirmed by the EPA's findings. Communities where general aviation airports are located have suffered from lead exposure and pollution for years. Children living near airports have been found to have lead in their blood, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this public health and environmental crisis.

Exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children

Aircraft engines that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a statement, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said:

> The science is clear: exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children. Aircraft that use leaded fuel are the dominant source of lead emissions in our air.

The EPA's final determination does not ban or impose restrictions on the use, sale, distribution, dispensing, and general availability of leaded fuel, nor does it establish any new control measures regarding aircraft lead emissions. However, it does mean that the Biden-Harris Administration can move forward in the process to propose new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft.

Small piston-engine aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers and are 45 to 47 years old, on average, are the type of aircraft that typically operate on leaded aviation gasoline. Jet aircraft used for commercial transport, on the other hand, do not operate on leaded fuel.

Communities near general aviation airports have suffered from lead exposure and pollution for years

Aircraft engines that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These aircraft are typically small piston-engine aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers and are around 45 to 47 years old.

The EPA's final determination on this issue confirms the harmful impact of leaded aviation fuel on public health and welfare. However, it is important to note that this determination does not impose any restrictions or bans on the use, sale, or distribution of leaded fuel.

The Biden-Harris Administration is now able to move forward in the process of proposing new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft. This includes communities near general aviation airports that have been disproportionately affected by lead exposure and pollution.

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