From the Environmental Protection Agency

Final Finding That Lead Emissions from Aircraft Engines That Operate on Leaded Fuel Cause or Contribute to Air Pollution That May Reasonably Be Anticipated to Endanger Public Health and Welfare

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WASHINGTON, DC (October 18, 2023) —Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their final findings regarding the hazards of lead from avgas, which is commonly used by small aircraft. Below is the text from the EPA’s announcement.

Action Summary

Protecting children’s health and reducing lead exposure are two of EPA’s top priorities. EPA has been investigating emissions of lead from aircraft operating on leaded fuel and the impact of these emissions on lead air pollution, including assessing lead concentrations in air near airports and evaluating the potentially exposed population. The majority of aircraft that operate on leaded fuel are piston-engine aircraft. These are typically small aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers. Jet aircraft used for commercial transport do not operate on a fuel containing lead.

The EPA has issued a final determination that lead emissions to air from certain aircraft engines cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare. Aircraft that use leaded aviation gasoline are primarily piston-engine aircraft.

With this final determination, EPA now becomes subject to a duty to propose and promulgate regulatory standards for lead emissions from aircraft engines. The FAA is also now subject to a duty to prescribe standards for the composition or chemical or physical properties of aircraft fuel to control or eliminate aircraft lead emissions.

As EPA develops proposed emissions standards, it will consult with FAA and use the public rulemaking processes that include notice and comment and an opportunity for a public hearing. EPA and FAA are committed to working together and with the full range of stakeholders to address this issue.

For information on FAA’s work to safely transition the piston-engine aircraft fleet to unleaded fuel.

• Final Finding That Lead Emissions from Aircraft Engines that Operate on Leaded Fuel Cause or Contribute to Air Pollution that May Reasonably Be Anticipated to Endanger Public Health and Welfare [pdf] (996.12 KB, pre-publication, signed October 2023).

Action History

Proposed Finding that Lead Emissions from Aircraft Engines That Operate on Leaded Fuel Cause or Contribute to Air Pollution that May Reasonably Be Anticipated to Endanger Public Health and Welfare (October 2022)

Additional Resources

• Fact Sheet:
  • EPA Finalizes Endangerment Finding for Lead Emissions from Aircraft that Operate on Leaded Fuel [pdf] (86.74 KB, October 2023, EPA-420-F-23-022).
  • La EPA fnaliza el hallazgo de peligro en cuanto a las emisiones de plomo de los aviones que utilizan combustible con plomo [pdf] (92.91 KB, October 2023, EPA-420-F-23-025).
• Response to Comments: Finding that Lead Emissions from Aircraft Engines that Operate on Leaded Fuel Cause or Contribute to Air Pollution that May Reasonably Be Anticipated to Endanger Public Health and Welfare [pdf] (4.76 MB, October 2023, EPA-420-R-23-031).
• Technical Support Document (TSD) for the EPA’s Proposed Finding that Lead Emissions from Aircraft Engines that Operate on Leaded Fuel Cause or Contribute to Air Pollution that May Reasonably Be Anticipated to Endanger Public Health and Welfare [pdf] (3.75 MB, September 2023, EPA-420-R-23-030).

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