The Plane Truth
Air Quality Impacts of Airport Operations and Strategies for Sustainability:
A Case Study of the Los Angeles World Airports
by CCA/Colleen Callahan

> Full Report (2-Mb PDF)

Aviation is one of the most energy intensive and polluting modes of transportation. Air pollution emissions from the aviation sector are likely to increase by 140-200 percent by 2025, unless aggressive actions are taken to control and reduce aviation‘s environmental footprint.

This comprehensive report is a first step for community advocates to develop a campaign to reduce air pollution from airports in the Los Angeles region. Its findings also highlight serious air pollution problems that impact thousands of communities across the United States.

Among the report’s key findings is the high level of lead emissions from aviation gasoline (avgas), which is used in piston-engine, normally non-commercial aircraft that frequent generation aviation airports. These emissions pose a health risk to approximately 3 million children and 16 million adults who live or attend school near the almost 20,000 U.S. airports frequented by piston-engine aircraft.

CCA and several allies have sent a letter to comment on the U.S. EPA’s Proposed Rulemaking on Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft Using Leaded Aviation Gasoline. We will track the EPA‘s rulemaking process and advocate for measures that will protect communities near airports.

> EPA sign-on letter (800k PDF)

There are three airports within an approximately five-mile area in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County that are frequented by general aviation aircraft. These airplanes use leaded fuel.