Potential Exposure Risks to Workers, the Public and the Environment from Leaded Aviation Gasoline

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) are the largest remaining aggregate source of lead emissions to air in the United States.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that owners and operators of more than 167,000 piston-engine aircraft operating in the United States rely on avgas to power their aircraft. Avgas is the only remaining lead-containing transportation fuel. The lead in avgas prevents damaging engine knock, or detonation, that can result in a sudden engine failure.

Unfortunately, lead is also a toxic substance. To share information about this concern, the fact sheet Leaded Aviation Fuel and the Environment was released by the FAA in 2019. In it, tetraethyl lead (TEL) is described as the compound that contains lead that is used as an additive to boost octane. The publication also shares the fact that the ban of TEL in automobile gas was phased in over a number of years and was largely completed by 1986, resulting in significant reductions of lead emissions to the environment. The reason TEL has not yet been banned for use in avgas is because no operationally safe alternative is currently available.

“This past summer in California, Santa Clara County Supervisors unanimously approved beginning the process to close Reid-Hillview Airport just weeks after a study was released that found increased lead levels in some children living near the airport,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “A number of airport operators and public health advocates have taken notice. With decades of industrial hygiene and environmental experience, the professionals at CSC can help in these situations. We offer lead testing and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to this toxic heavy metal from its use in avgas, lead-based paints and other sources.”

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about avgas and the environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/VGgyJ9wCeVo

To learn more about this or other occupational, air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 

About Clark Seif Clark

CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.