U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s proposal earlier this month to declare aircraft lead emissions to be a public health danger is a step toward protecting children, the agency's administrator said in a news release.
EPA's proposed determination that lead emissions from aircraft that still fly on leaded fuel causes or contribute to air pollution and "may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare," was announced in an Oct. 7 news release. EPA's proposed determination was an "endangerment finding," step one to address aircraft lead emissions as a pollution source under the Clean Air Act, the news release said.
"When it comes to our children the science is clear, exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the news release. "Aircraft that use leaded fuel are the dominant source of lead emissions to air in the country. Today’s proposal is an important step forward as we work to reduce lead exposure and protect children’s health."
EPA's proposed endangerment finding now faces a public notice and comment period, after which EPA is expected to make a determination next year. Should the proposed finding be finalized, then EPA would move ahead with proposing regulatory standards for aircraft engine lead emissions.
The nation's airborne lead has declined by 99% since 1980 but aircraft that fly on leaded fuel remain the largest source of lead emissions into the air. Most aircraft that still fly on aviation gasoline are piston-engine aircraft that typically are small and carry 2-10 passengers. Piston-engine aircraft have one or more piston-powered engines that connect to a propeller, which provides thrust to move the aircraft through the air and on the ground, according to information on the National Business Aviation Association's website. Such aircraft commonly fly on 100-octane low-leaded fuel and fly below 15,000 feet.
Piston-driven aircraft manufacturers include Beechcraft, Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond, Mooney, Piper and Tecnam.
Jet aircraft, such as those used in commercial transportation, do not fly on leaded fuel.
Long-term lead exposure health effects are well documented and can come from multiple sources, including lead paint, contaminated soil, industrial emissions or waste containing lead. There is no safe level of lead exposure in children, as even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. In adults, lead exposure can lead to cardiovascular issues, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension, worsened kidney function and reproductive issues.
Lead-exposure health issues in adults include cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, decreased kidney function and reproductive issues.
"No safe blood lead level in children has been identified," the news release said. "Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement."
EPA's news release follows a Federal Aviation Administration and aviation and energy industries announcement in February of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions initiative. The initiative includes work to transition piston-engine aircraft to unleaded fuel.
