Stop Aviation Generated Lead Pollution

Miki Barnes
February 16, 2022

We extend our sincere appreciation to those who have already signed the letter of support for the EPA endangerment finding petition for leaded aviation gasoline and for a ban on leaded aviation fuel at U.S. airports. Thank you!

There is still plenty of time to sign on. We also urge you to encourage others to take action. The letter, which is posted on the Oregon Aviation Watch website, can be accessed here.

Though commercial passenger airlines use jet fuel which does not contain lead, many smaller piston-engine aircraft used for flight training and by private and recreational pilots still rely on leaded fuel. These aircraft are responsible for pumping 468 tons of lead into the air every single year.

Oregon organizations that have signed on so far include:

• Oregon Environmental Council (OEC)
• Neighbors for Clean Air
• Save Helvetia
• Aviation Impact Reform

Signatories from California include:

• Save Our Skies
• Studio City for Quiet Skies
• Citizens Against Gillespie's Expansion and Low-Flying Aircraft (CAGELFA)
• Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance and Concerned Residents of Palo Alto

Voices from the Community

Below are some of the comments from individuals who signed on in support of this action.

In the words of a Washington State resident, "Why is this still an issue when it has been known for years how bad leaded fuel is? Do the right thing now!"

The following comments are from California residents. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Los Angeles based Van Nuys Airport ranks 7th out of 20,000 airports nationwide in lead pollution. Oregon's Hillsboro Airport is 8th. Gillespie Field Airport in San Diego County is No. 13.

• "Van Nuys Airport which is within 10 miles of my home has expanded into a commercial airport under the auspices of remaining a general aviation airport. We are being pounded non-stop by leaded fuel from prop planes and benzene from jets. Currently Van Nuys is the 7th worst lead polluting airport in the U.S. Begging the FAA to ban leaded aviation fuel and protect our homes and school yards."
• "We are with you in this fight. We live next to the Van Nuys Airport…the 7th largest lead abuser in the nation. Activists Unite!"
• As stated by a resident negatively impacted by Gillespie Field in San Diego County, "Ban the Gas!"

A number of Oregon residents who are heavily impacted by Hillsboro and Aurora Airports as well as other air traffic in the area also weighed in.

• "It is way past time to ban the use of lead in aviation gasoline!"
• "I fully support a ban on all leaded fuel in all aircraft immediately."
• "We have to quit letting lead infiltrate our farmland and our lives."
• "Since we have modern alternatives, there would seem to be no real need for leaded fuel, and, of course, many smaller airports are surrounded by residential areas."
• "We must urgently stop using leaded aircraft fuel to halt its destructive impact on humans and the environment."
• "Our rural community has been advocating for clean air and less noise for years. The low flying pilot training program out of Hillsboro Airport in Oregon has poisoned our orchards, farms and gardens with lead and other chemicals and very low circling flight training noise."
• "Besides poisoning our local, aged, retired citizens in our community by this lead pollution, we are subjected to RUDE pilots who fly very noisily over our retired citizens."
• "This is one positive step for the future. The objection, of course will be the boys with the toys. The FAA has a policy of a general aviation airport every 20 miles, an absurd infrastructure designed to enable recreational traffic. The FAA collects far more than it needs from jet airport cargo/passenger fees and uses it to subsidize this destructive hobby. The small plane recreational traffic that relies on leaded fuel has no need to exist. To deflect they'll cry that these airports have some public purpose. That is infinitesimal and the tiny proportion of flights by firefighting could be exempted from the ban. (Ironically, we'd have fewer, less intense fires if the boys with noisy toys weren't burning thousands of gallons of fuel each month.)"
• "Lead, Begone!"

Thank you for joining with us in putting a stop to the toxic legacy of leaded aviation fuel.