US EPA to review general aviation lead emissions risks

The US EPA will announce on Wednesday it will again review whether emissions from piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded fuel contribute pose a danger to public health. Emissions from the 190,000 US general aviation airplanes operating on leaded fuel account for about 70% of the lead entering the atmosphere, according to US government estimates. "EPA has been investigating the air quality impact of lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft near airports for years, and now we're going to apply that information to determine whether this pollution endangers human health and welfare," said EPA Administrator Michael Regan to Reuters. Lead is not in jet fuel, which is used by commercial aircraft. The EPA said it was responding to several petitions including from the County of Santa Clara, California, and Middleton, Wisconsin. It plans to issue a proposal for public review and comment this year and take final action in 2023.<br/>