MAYDAY: The forgotten poison in our skies

Eco Chamber

It’s taken nearly four decades for a global phase out of leaded petrol, light aircraft still use fuel containing lead to keep flying their planes. The US and the EU are looking to phase out this source of harmful lead pollution, but the UK is hanging back.

Aviation fuel AVGAS 100LL uses Tetraethlylead for fuel stability. When this lead is jettisoned from the engine at takeoff, these poisonous compounds are released into the air and soil – impacting the environment, and potentially exposing people in the surrounding area.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2 million deaths globally were attributed to chemical exposures in 2019, with lead exposure attributed to nearly half of these deaths. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead, which can cause “profound and permanent” adverse health impacts according to the WHO.

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