THE US Joe Biden administration declared that emissions from aircraft using leaded aviation fuel threaten public health, reports Bloomberg.
This declaration represents the initial move toward addressing a primary source of metal pollution associated with developmental delays, kidney disease, and other health issues.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an 'endangerment finding,' which focuses on leaded aviation fuel primarily used in small piston-engine aircraft.
These aircraft rely on lead to enhance their octane levels, which is essential for their performance.
It's important to note that lead is not present in the jet fuel used by commercial airlines, and it has been banned from gasoline used in cars and trucks for many years.
'Exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children,' said epa administrator Michael Regan and the agency's declaration allows the administration to 'propose new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft.'
Consequently, lead emissions in the air have decreased 99 per cent since 1980.
However, the 220,000 aging small planes that still depend on aviation gasoline containing lead remain the primary source of lead pollution.
The EPA's finding doesn't restrict leaded aviation fuel use, sale, or availability. However, it triggers a legal requirement under the Clean Air Act to propose standards that address lead emissions from the engines of these affected aircraft.
Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration can independently establish fuel and additives requirements to reduce lead emissions.
According to the EPA, both agencies will announce timelines for these regulatory actions as soon as possible.
Any new standards implemented due to this declaration could significantly impact states like Alaska, Colorado, and Florida, where piston-engine aircraft are more prevalent.
Environmental advocates have been pushing for this endangerment finding for nearly two decades.
It's worth noting that there is no known safe level of lead exposure, and even minimal exposure can lead to impaired cognitive ability, posing a particular risk to children.
SeaNews Turkey
This declaration represents the initial move toward addressing a primary source of metal pollution associated with developmental delays, kidney disease, and other health issues.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an 'endangerment finding,' which focuses on leaded aviation fuel primarily used in small piston-engine aircraft.
These aircraft rely on lead to enhance their octane levels, which is essential for their performance.
It's important to note that lead is not present in the jet fuel used by commercial airlines, and it has been banned from gasoline used in cars and trucks for many years.
'Exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children,' said epa administrator Michael Regan and the agency's declaration allows the administration to 'propose new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft.'
Consequently, lead emissions in the air have decreased 99 per cent since 1980.
However, the 220,000 aging small planes that still depend on aviation gasoline containing lead remain the primary source of lead pollution.
The EPA's finding doesn't restrict leaded aviation fuel use, sale, or availability. However, it triggers a legal requirement under the Clean Air Act to propose standards that address lead emissions from the engines of these affected aircraft.
Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration can independently establish fuel and additives requirements to reduce lead emissions.
According to the EPA, both agencies will announce timelines for these regulatory actions as soon as possible.
Any new standards implemented due to this declaration could significantly impact states like Alaska, Colorado, and Florida, where piston-engine aircraft are more prevalent.
Environmental advocates have been pushing for this endangerment finding for nearly two decades.
It's worth noting that there is no known safe level of lead exposure, and even minimal exposure can lead to impaired cognitive ability, posing a particular risk to children.
SeaNews Turkey
