How Jet Fuel Contributes To Water Pollution

Jet fuel is a dirty liquid that has been linked to water pollution and adverse health effects. In addition to air pollution, jet fuel has been known to contaminate drinking water sources, particularly in military contexts. The US Department of Veterans Affairs, for instance, has acknowledged water contamination at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility in Hawaii, where leaking underground fuel tanks impacted drinking water sources. Jet fuel contamination has also been reported at other airports and military bases worldwide, affecting both airport personnel and nearby residents. The impact of jet fuel on water sources is a growing concern, with extreme weather events and increasing aviation demand contributing to the risk of contamination.

Jet fuel contamination at airports

One of the primary sources of jet fuel contamination at airports is the presence of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). In recent years, there has been an increased incidence of DEF-contaminated aviation fuel, which has led to in-flight engine failures. While these incidents have not resulted in crashes, the potential for catastrophe is evident. To address this issue, industry groups such as the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have urged operators and airport personnel to implement best practices for the safe handling of DEF.

Another significant contributor to jet fuel contamination is microbial growth. Microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi are omnipresent in air and water and inevitably contaminate aviation fuel. This contamination can lead to the formation of solid debris that clogs fuel filters and the production of acidic by-products that accelerate metal corrosion. Microbial contamination is highly corrosive to fuel tanks and systems, resulting in costly fuel leaks and engine damage. Detecting and treating microbial contamination is essential but can be expensive, as the fuel often needs to be treated with biocides.

Particulate matter, including dust, pollen, rubber, and fabric particles, also contributes to jet fuel contamination. These airborne particles find their way into the fuel, and even small quantities can lead to rust development. Water is another common contaminant, as it is almost impossible to avoid in stored aviation jet fuel. Water can enter the fuel through various means, such as rainwater leaking into tanks or moisture in the air. Surfactants, introduced from equipment cleaning or pipeline walls, can also contaminate jet fuel.

The control of jet fuel quality and the prevention of contamination are critical to ensuring the safe operation of aircraft and mitigating environmental impacts. Industry groups and regulators have implemented standards and practices to address this issue. For example, the Energy Institute has issued recommended practices for handling chemical fuel additives, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has published the "Doc 9977 Manual on Civil Aviation Jet Fuel Supply" to highlight fuel quality management. Additionally, aircraft operators are required to have a Quality Assurance process that covers all contractors involved in refuelling.

Jet fuel contamination in military drinking water

Veterans and currently serving military personnel have reported jet fuel contamination in their drinking water. This has been a problem for decades, according to some veterans, and has occurred on many different ships.

In 2022, sailors aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, reported drinking and bathing in water contaminated with jet fuel. Navy officials initially described the contamination as "traces", but some sailors and their families disputed this, saying the problem was more severe and that the seriousness of the issue was downplayed by the Navy. Some crew members developed rashes and other symptoms. In response, the Navy took action to secure access to bottled water and conducted a thorough flush of the potable water system.

There have been other instances of water contamination on Navy ships, such as on the USS Boxer, where the ship ran out of bottled water and crew members tried to dilute the taste of jet fuel in the water with flavour packets. Veterans who served on the USS Saratoga in the 1970s and 1990s also reported drinking water contaminated by jet fuel.

In addition to ships, there have been reports of jet fuel-contaminated drinking water at certain military bases. For example, at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, wells supplying water to certain areas were contaminated by a component of jet fuel from a leaking underground fuel storage tank between the 1950s and 1980s. More recently, in 2021, groundwater contamination occurred at the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility in Hawaii, impacting drinking water on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the Army's Aliamanu Military Reservation. Service members at the Karshi Khanabad (K-2) Air Base may also have been exposed to jet fuel contamination from a leaking Soviet-era underground fuel distribution system.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) works with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies to track these situations and provide information to veterans. The VA encourages veterans concerned about health problems associated with jet fuel exposure during their military service to talk to their healthcare provider or contact their local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.

Health risks of exposure to jet fuel

Exposure to jet fuel can occur through inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion. Airport personnel and veterans are among those at risk of exposure to jet fuel. Jet engine emissions, which are similar to diesel exhaust emissions, contain volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals.

Diesel exhaust is classified as carcinogenic, and exposure to jet engine emissions has been linked to adverse health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, increased hospital admissions, and respiratory issues. Studies have shown that jet engine emissions contain nano-sized particles that can reach the lower airways upon inhalation, leading to cell membrane damage, oxidative stress, and increased inflammation in bronchial epithelial cells.

Veterans who were exposed to jet fuel during their military service may experience health problems. There have been reports of jet fuel-contaminated drinking water at certain military bases, such as Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility in Hawaii. The contamination at Camp Lejeune was due to leaking underground fuel storage tanks, while the Red Hill incident involved thousands of gallons of jet fuel leaking and impacting drinking water supplies.

The potential health risks associated with jet fuel exposure are currently under investigation, and the PACT Act, which includes the William Collins Jet Fuel Exposure Recognition Act, mandates the investigation of long-term negative health impacts on service members. Veterans who believe their health has been affected by jet fuel exposure during their service are encouraged to file a claim for disability compensation.

Additionally, residents living close to airports may also be at risk of exposure to jet engine emissions, which can lead to adverse health effects similar to those caused by diesel exhaust particles and other traffic emissions.

Jet fuel's contribution to climate change

Jet fuel has been identified as a contributor to climate change, with aviation accounting for about 4% of global anthropogenic climate forcing. The impact of jet fuel emissions on climate change is complex, as it involves a variety of emissions at different altitudes, from the surface up to cruise altitudes of over 43,000 feet. The emissions from jet fuel combustion include gases and particulates such as CO2, NOx, hydrocarbon particles, and black carbon particulates, which contribute to the warming or cooling influence on the climate.

One of the major climate impacts of aviation is the formation of contrails and contrail-induced cirrus clouds. Contrails (condensation trails) are ice clouds that form when the hot exhaust gases from jet engines interact with the cold, humid air in the atmosphere. Modern jet engines emit fewer soot particles than earlier models, reducing their contribution to contrail formation. However, black carbon particulates and hydrocarbon particles are still significant in the formation of contrail-induced cirrus clouds. These clouds can have a warming or cooling effect on the climate, depending on various factors such as altitude, ambient temperature, and solar radiation.

The increase in air traffic has led to a corresponding increase in climate forcers from aviation, resulting in a strong impact on climate change. Between 2011 and 2019, air traffic increased by about 60%, leading to a significant rise in aviation's contribution to global warming. Additionally, while aircraft fuel efficiency has improved annually, the growing demand for air travel has resulted in a doubling of aviation's contribution to global anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

To mitigate the climate change impact of jet fuel emissions, several strategies have been proposed. These include the use of sustainable biofuels blended with kerosene jet fuel, reducing the sulfur content of kerosene jet fuel, engine design changes, and flight planning to avoid ambient conditions that produce contrails. The aviation industry has also set targets to reduce CO2 emissions significantly by 2050 through the use of sustainable aviation fuels, improved air traffic management, and carbon removal projects.

While jet fuel has been implicated in water pollution, particularly in military contexts, its impact on water pollution is relatively less significant compared to its contribution to climate change.

The impact of water on jet fuel

Water has a significant impact on jet fuel, with even small quantities leading to operational issues and financial losses. The accumulation of water in jet fuel is almost inevitable, and it can cause microbial contamination, corrosion, and engine problems.

Water is heavier than jet fuel and tends to sink to the bottom of fuel tanks. While trace amounts of water in jet fuel are normal and usually do not cause significant issues, larger amounts can lead to operational challenges. Water does not burn efficiently, and its presence in the fuel can result in reduced power output or even cause the engine to stop. In turbine engines, water can freeze and clog fuel lines, as seen in the case of British Airways Flight 38, which lost power and crashed during its approach due to water contamination.

Microbial contamination, including H.res, is another issue that can arise from water in jet fuel. This contamination can be highly corrosive to fuel tanks and systems, leading to costly repairs and maintenance. Microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi can form solid debris, clogging fuel filters and causing malfunctions.

Water in jet fuel can also lead to health risks for military personnel and airport staff. Veterans and military members may be exposed to jet fuel through various duties, and water contamination can exacerbate these health concerns. Additionally, airport personnel are at risk of occupational exposure to jet engine emissions, which contain volatile organic compounds and particulate matter.

To address water contamination in jet fuel, early detection is crucial. Various methods, such as visual inspection, chemical analysis, and the water tablet test, can be employed to detect water and microbial contamination. Treating contaminated fuel with biocides is an option, but it can be expensive.

While water can cause issues as a contaminant in jet fuel, it is important to note that jet engines can operate using water as a fuel under specific conditions. With temperatures exceeding 1472°F (800°C), water can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen, which can then be used as fuel. However, the energy required for this decomposition is equivalent to the energy released during combustion, making it impractical as a standalone process.

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