The U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) announced recently that it is preparing to release a "proposed endangerment finding" on the level of air pollution caused by lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft powered by leaded fuel.
The agency announced Jan. 12 that is has concluded its investigation of the emissions and their impact on lead air pollution, and now intends to develop a proposal on whether the lead emissions cause or contribute to air pollution.
“EPA has been investigating the air-quality impact of lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft near airports for years," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the announcement, "and now we’re going to apply that information to determine whether this pollution endangers human health and welfare.”
The EPA notes that lead contamination can be found in a variety of sources, such as contaminated soil, leaded paint, emissions from battery recycling and metal processing and the combustion of fuel or waste containing lead. Although airborne-lead levels in the U.S. have dropped 99 percent in the past 40 years, according to the EPA, piston-engine aircraft operating with leaded fuel are the largest source of lead emissions into the air.
"Children’s exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects," the EPA states in the announcement. "No safe blood lead level in children has been identified."
No safe blood lead level in children has been identified.Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. In adults, health impacts from lead exposure can include cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension, decreased kidney function, and reproductive issues.
The release also states that the final endangerment finding is scheduled to be issued in 2023.
“Protecting children’s health and reducing lead exposure are interlocking priorities at the core of EPA’s agenda,” Regan said in the announcement.
