EPA Response to the 2006 Petition
from Friends of the Earth Regarding
Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine
Aircraft
Overview
• In this action EPA is responding to a petition from Friends of the Earth
(FoE). In 2006, FoE petitioned the Agency, requesting that EPA find that
lead emissions from general aviation aircraft may reasonably be anticipated to
endanger public health and welfare and that EPA propose emissions standards
under the Clean Air Act for lead from general aviation aircraft. Alternatively,
FoE requested that EPA commence a study and investigation of the health
and environmental impacts of lead emissions from general aviation aircraft, if
EPA believes that insufficient information exists to make such a finding,
• EPA is responding to FoE's 2006 petition by describing the analytical work
EPA has underway to facilitate developing a scientifically sound endanger-
ment determination related to lead emissions from general aviation aircraft,
and the timing for next steps,
• EPA intends to make its proposed and final endangerment determination
following completion of this analytical work. EPA estimates that it will take
up to three years, or until mid- to late 2015, to issue a final determination
with regard to endangerment from lead emissions of aircraft engines. This
timeframe accommodates the expected timing for delivery of necessary mod-
eling and monitoring information and other data, development of a proposal
which will be published for public comment, review and analysis of comments
received, and issuing the final determination,
• In our response to FoE, we also note that we will not initiate rulemaking at
this time to establish standards concerning lead emissions from piston aircraft
since it would be premature at this point, given the lack of an affirmative
determination regarding endangerment. If our endangerment determination
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
EPA-420-F-12-050
July 2012
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results in affirmative findings, we would pursue standard setting on a timeframe that
would be determined at that point,
• After a final determination has been reached, and if EPA's evaluation of the question of
endangerment results in an affirmative finding, FAA would also be required to establish
standards for the composition of piston-engine aircraft fuel to control lead emissions.
Additional Information
• There are almost 20,000 airport facilities in the U.S. where leaded avgas is used,
• Currently, aviation gasoline is the only available motor fuel containing lead. Aviation
gasoline is utilized in general aviation aircraft with piston engines, which are generally
used for instructional flying, air taxi activities, and personal transportation. Lead is not
used in jet fuel, the fuel utilized by most commercial aircraft,
• Emissions of lead from piston-engine aircraft using leaded avgas comprise approximately
half of the national inventory of lead emitted to air,
• On October 15, 2008, EPA substantially strengthened the national ambient air quality
standards (NAAQS) for lead, finding that serious health effects occur at much lower
levels of lead in blood than previously identified. EPA is currently conducting the
periodic review of the NAAQS for lead,
For More Information
To download a copy of today's action and to obtain additional information regarding EPA's
response to the petition from Friends of the Earth, go to:
www.epa.gov/otaq/aviation.htm
For more information about lead in air visit:
www.epa.gov/air/lead
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