Clean Transportation Solutions
Fighting air pollution and climate change by promoting
clean fuels and technologies for automobiles.

A decade after EPA required the removal of lead in car gasoline lead in aviation aircraft fuel still remains a problem

In a petition filed on October 12, 2006 Bluewater Network urged the EPA to reduce or eliminate lead from general aviation (non-jet) aircraft fuel—something it has failed to do despite the well documented human health impacts of lead exposure. As a result of the use of leaded aviation gasoline, people at or near general aviation airports may be exposed to elevated levels of lead. Read the Petition

Take Action Now!

The list of health harms associated with lead exposure is long, including brain damage, learning disabilities, lower IQ levels, increased blood pressure, and nerve damage. Children are at higher risk than adults because they absorb larger fractions of lead and are more sensitive to lead induced toxicity.

Lead in aviation aircraft fuel poses a risk of inhalation when it is released into the air from airport fueling operations, as tailpipe emissions, and from fuel spills. Lead particles can remain airborne for up to ten days and can be transported far from their original source. Lead can also be ingested when it is deposed into drinking waters or onto forage areas and farm ponds where food-animals feed.

In addition to health impacts, ecosystems near airports are also at risk from lead in aviation fuel, which is highly persistent in the environment and can move into nearby fields and forests and make its way into streams and waterways.

Take Action Now! Please ask EPA to finally get the lead out of aviation fuel.