Airport lead
EPA endangerment finding
On February 23, 2023 Congresswoman Lofgren and Eshoo and Congressmen Khanna and Panetta sent a letter to Secretary Pete Buttigieg regarding the sale of unleaded avgas.
On January 12, 2022 the EPA issued a Press Release and letter their decision to evaluate lead emissions from aircraft
On February 28, 2022 Michael McDonald submitted a response to the EPA.
On January 17, 2023 the Attorney General of CA, CT, DC, MD, MA, MN, NJ, NY, OR, PA, VT and WI issue comments on proposed finding.
Surface lead study
The County engaged Jacobs Engineering to analyze surface lead levels at Reid-Hillview and San Martin Airports.
Airborne lead study
- On August 3, 2021, the airborne lead study was released. You can find it here.
- The Santa Clara County Office of Education released this report Children's Exposure to Lead in Santa Clara County in August 2021.
- Lead Study overview provided by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.
- On February 28, 2022, Michael McDonald sent this Report to EPA regarding the Aviation Lead Study at Reid-Hillview Airport
- The County has put together this media page with additional information regarding the airborne lead study including links to past meeting data and news conferences.
- In November 2022, the lead study was published online by the National Academies of Science. The study will be included in the March 2023 printed journal. (web site, pdf)
Board of Supervisors actions
- Board of Supervisors Report Back on Addressing Possible Lead Pollution from Reid-Hillview Airport 10/21/2008
- At the December 4th, 2018 Board of Supervisors Meeting, the Board directed Roads and Airports staff to report back with a recommended plan to analyze and address any concerns regarding airborne lead and associated concerns.
- At the February 11, 2020 Board of Supervisors Meeting, the Board authorized a $250,000 contract with Mountain Data Group to complete a study of blood lead levels around Reid-Hillview and San Martin airports.
- Board of Supervisors Special Meeting to Discuss the Lead Report 08/17/2021
Items 36, 37, 38 and 126 - Board of Supervisors file petition urging the EPA to ban leaded AvGas 05/24/2021
Fuel Specific Documents and Sites of Interest
- AVGAS Facts and Future - Shell
- FAA Issues Request for Unleaded Replacement for General Aviation Gasoline (Avgas) 06/10/2013
EPA’s data and analysis of piston-engine aircraft emissions of lead at U.S. airports
The EPA is evaluating the air quality impact of lead emissions from aircraft using leaded aviation gasoline as described in the Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts and in response to the petitioner’s requests.
The materials provided below describe methods to calculate airport lead inventories, fact sheets on air quality monitoring at airports, a report and fact sheet on model-extrapolated estimates of lead concentrations at airports, and estimates of the number of people who live near or attend school near airports.
- Fact Sheet: Technical Update for Reports on the Impact of Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft on Air Quality Near U.S. Airports (PDF)
- Model-extrapolated Estimates of Airborne Lead Concentrations at U.S. Airports (PDF)
- National Analysis of the Populations Residing Near or Attending School Near U.S. Airports (PDF)
- This and more information may be found on the EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/epas-data-and-analysis-piston-engine-aircraft-emissions
Following is a list of additional documents related to the ongoing study of airborne lead at airports and the development of unleaded aviation fuel.
- Center for Environmental Health consent judgment requiring certain airports in the state of California to sell unleaded fuel when it is commercially available. 2014 12-10
- Fact Sheet, Final Revisions To The National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Lead
EPA (2008) - Fact Sheet, Revisions to Lead Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements
EPA (2010) - Fact Sheet, Decision National Ambient Air Quality Standards For Lead
EPA (2016) - Interim Guidance on Mitigating Public Risks Associated With Lead Emissions from Avgas
FAA (2013) - A Geospatial Analysis of the Effects of Aviation Gasoline on Childhood Blood Lead Levels
Miranda, Anthopolos and Hastings (2011) - Environmental Health Perspectives
- The Effect of Leaded Aviation Gasoline on Blood Lead in Children
Sammy Zahran, Terrence Iverson, Shawn P. McE.murry, Stephan Weiler (2017) - Selection of Airports for the Airport Monitoring Study
Marion Hoyer, Meredity Pedde, EPA (2010) - Development and Evaluation of an Air Quality Modeling Approach for Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft Operating on Leaded Aviation Gasoline
EPA (2010) - Calculating Piston-Engine Aircraft Airport Inventories for Lead for the 2008 National Emissions Inventory
EPA (2010) - Lead Emissions from the Use of Leaded Aviation Gasoline in the United States, Technical Support Document
EPA (2008) - Technical Note - Lead (Pb) Ambient Air Monitoring Network Design Issues
EPA (2009) - FAA Website - About Aviation Gasoline
- EPA Website - Regulations for Lead Emissions from Aircraft
- EPA Website - EPA's Data and Analysis of Piston-engine Aircraft Emissions of Lead at U.S. Airports
- Website - EPA's 2009-2010 Lead Modeling Study at the Santa Monica Airport
2018 Public Comments
All public comments received regarding the perceived hazards associated with leaded aviation gasoline are provided below.
Anissa Mohler 12/02/2018
California Pilots Association 12/02/2018
SCAPA EPA Lead Monitoring at the San Carlos Airport 04/20/2015
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