“Air pollution?”
Is it true that airplane exhaust, like car exhaust, contains a variety of air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides? We live next to an international airport under a flight path. I’m worried about benzene in the jet fuel and other pollutants. Benzene is linked to leukemia. Are there higher rates of cancer especially blood cancer for residents next to airports and under flight paths? We live 3kms from the end of the runway and 5kms to a major international airport. Please help I’m very worried as I have a 2 year old. I have also noticed a fuel odor in the air which comes and goes based on wind direction. I’m willing to sell if this is all true. My beautiful dad passed recently from mesothelioma so I am extra worried about what we breath in. Appreciate your time.
Female | 34 years old
Complaint duration: Months
Conditions: Cancer & blood cancer from air pollution
2 Answers
Hi there, I understand your concern. There is research supporting that those who live near highways with a large volume of car exhaust are at a higher risk of developing chronic health conditions. I imagine airplanes would pose an even greater risk as they produce larger amounts of pollutants than cars. I suppose it would depend on how busy their airport is as well.
Hello
You are a young mother who is concerned about the effects of aviation emissions on the air quality when one lives near an airport.
This is certainly a concerning issue. Much investigation exists to measure the effects of aviation on air on the area of airports. The epa (environmental protection agency) and others have measured air pollutants near and further away from airports. It has been shown that emphysema and heart disease are more common in populations living close to an airport. Recently it has been reported that air pollutants have been observed even 10 miles away. Nonetheless the epa has published guidelines for airports to follow that describe safe levels of pollutants. Many groups are asking these groups to make the guidelines more stringent. The LA Times has recently reported a published study of planes exhaust. (Www.latimes.com entitled “planes exhaust could be harming communities up to 10 miles from LAX).
It is clear that more research needs to be performed and better guidelines developed for community safety.
You are quite concerned about the possible role of aircraft emissions on your child. These concerns are warranted but there is no solid data that relocation will be beneficial. Only ongoing research will lead to more effective recommendations.
Good luck.
You are a young mother who is concerned about the effects of aviation emissions on the air quality when one lives near an airport.
This is certainly a concerning issue. Much investigation exists to measure the effects of aviation on air on the area of airports. The epa (environmental protection agency) and others have measured air pollutants near and further away from airports. It has been shown that emphysema and heart disease are more common in populations living close to an airport. Recently it has been reported that air pollutants have been observed even 10 miles away. Nonetheless the epa has published guidelines for airports to follow that describe safe levels of pollutants. Many groups are asking these groups to make the guidelines more stringent. The LA Times has recently reported a published study of planes exhaust. (Www.latimes.com entitled “planes exhaust could be harming communities up to 10 miles from LAX).
It is clear that more research needs to be performed and better guidelines developed for community safety.
You are quite concerned about the possible role of aircraft emissions on your child. These concerns are warranted but there is no solid data that relocation will be beneficial. Only ongoing research will lead to more effective recommendations.
Good luck.
