Study: Increased Lead Levels In Kids Living Near Airport; County Calls For EPA Fuel Ban

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The County of Santa Clara filed a petition Tuesday calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate lead pollution from aircraft by banning leaded gasoline.

Children living downwind of Reid-Hillview Airport risk an increased blood lead level. A study commissioned by Santa Clara County found that during peak air traffic times, children within a half mile of the airport had nearly twice the amount of lead in their blood as people living in Flint, Michigan during the water crisis.

The Federal Aviation Administration says aviation gasoline is the only fuel used for transportation in the U.S. that contains lead.

Santa Clara County joins Earthjustice and 39 other organizations and individuals asking the EPA to address this issue.