The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed determination that emissions of lead from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA reviews information on air pollutants and sources of air pollution to determine whether they threaten human health or welfare. This is referred to as an “endangerment finding”—a first step in using EPA’s authority to address this source of lead pollution. Levels of airborne lead in the United States have declined 99% since 1980. Piston-engine aircraft are the largest single source of remaining lead emissions to the air in the US, contributing 70% of the lead entering the air annually. These are typically small aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers. Jet aircraft used for commercial transport do not operate on a fuel containing lead. This proposed endangerment […]