The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared that lead emissions from small piston-engine planes pose a public health risk under the Clean Air Act. This determination sets the stage for future regulations to reduce such emissions, aimed at protecting public health and the environment.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the serious health effects of lead exposure, particularly in children, stating, "The science is clear: exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children." This announcement represents a significant step taken by the Biden-Harris administration to address the issue of lead pollution from aircraft.
Members of Congress have expressed support for the EPA's decision. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) stated that the EPA's conclusion confirms what many Americans have long suspected, that emissions from leaded aviation fuel contribute to dangerous air pollution levels.
The EPA press release provided further details about the ruling, specifying that it primarily affects small piston-engine planes carrying between 2 and 10 passengers, with an average age of 45 to 47 years. Commercial jet aircraft, which do not use leaded fuel, are not impacted by this determination.
Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) highlighted the localized impact of lead pollution, particularly in communities near general aviation airports. He mentioned the example of Reid-Hillview Airport in California, where children were found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood due to exposure.
As a result of this determination, the EPA is now legally obligated to propose regulations aimed at reducing lead emissions from small piston-engine planes. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will need to develop standards related to aircraft fuel or fuel additives to control or eliminate lead emissions.
Both the EPA and the FAA have already begun exploring options for regulating lead emissions from aircraft engines. Timelines for these regulatory actions will be announced in the near future.
Importantly, the EPA's determination does not impose immediate bans or restrictions on the use, sale, or distribution of leaded fuel for aviation. However, it sets the stage for future regulations that will help protect public health and reduce lead emissions from small piston-engine planes.
