Impacts of Aviation Fuel
Aviation fuel is currently the only fuel which is allowed to contain lead - a known carconagenic. If thats not bad enough, this fuel will have been used as testing around the UK (if not the world) as part of testing for AFFF and potentially F3 (a 'cool' way of saying Flourine free) apart from the health impacts of 'F3' being unknown testing at airports, airfields and manufacturers will use Leaded aviation fuel.
This raises the questions are they breaking the law, why is no one talking about and does anyone care. Well we should.
Leaded aviation fuel (AVGAS 100LL) contains tetraethyl lead, and when it’s burned, it releases lead particles and compounds into the air. These are toxic even at very low levels.
What exposure looks like When AVGAS is burned (especially in open tests):
- Lead is emitted as: Fine airborne particles Lead oxides and halides
- Fine airborne particles
- Lead oxides and halides
- People are exposed via: Inhalation (main route) Settled dust → ingestion (especially children)
- Inhalation (main route)
- Settled dust → ingestion (especially children)
This seems to act in the same way as the Flourinated substances when AFFF is tested for it's "ability to smoother fires"
Main health effects of lead exposure
Neurological (most serious)
Lead is a (proven) neurotoxin.
In adults:
Memory problems,
Reduced concentration,
Headaches
Mood changes (irritability, anxiety)
Peripheral neuropathy (tingling, weakness)
In children its much, much more severe:
Lower IQ
Developmental delay
Behavioural issues (ADHD-like symptoms)
Learning difficulties
No safe level of lead exposure is recognised and it doesn't stop at neurological issues either.
Blood and organ effects
Interferes with haemoglobin production → anaemia
Damages:
Kidneys
Liver
Cardiovascular effects
Increased blood pressure
Higher risk of heart disease
Respiratory irritation (short-term)
From combustion products:
Coughing
Throat irritation
Breathing discomfort
Reproductive and developmental risks
- Miscarriage risk
- Reduced fertility
- Harm to unborn child (brain development)
So for those paying attention there are health overlaps here with PFAS exposure.
PFAS and lead affect some of the same body systems, and combined exposure can potentially increase overall health risk, even if they act through different mechanisms.
So logically IF you are exposed to both your chances of becoming look to be greatly increased.
This rasies other questions
why has this 1. not been noticed,
2. if it has why has it not been investigated and
3. why are we still being exposed to it?
So when Airports, the RAF and manufactures test using Aviation fuel why are we not being protected?
Other than health reasons the reason why we are asking this is:
Using AVGAS outside aviation flying uses is Use outside its intended purpose.
Does Burning AVGAS in ground tests (foam testing etc.) create problems:
“Use outside intended purpose”
It may be argued:
That for Fire Testing the fuel is being misused, not used as intended, this doesn’t automatically make possession illegal
There are also other laws that come into play.
Environmental Protection Act 1990 (statutory nuisance) Because of lead:
Emissions may be:
Prejudicial to health or
a statutory nuisance
.
Environmental Permitting RegulationsIf regulators frame it as:
Burning fuel in an open process producing emissions, then surely it should be classed as:
A regulated activity or Possibly waste incineration
Which requires:
An environmental permit If none exists:
This could (or should) be a potential offence: operating a regulated facility without a permit
Waste law angle (very important)
If the fuel:
Is surplus
.
Not used for aviation
Burned as part of a process (Fire foam Testing)
Then: Burning it = waste incineration
Which is tightly controlled (?) and it can be legally reclassified as: “waste”
Clean Air Act 1993 (still applies)
No exemption for fuel type
.
Lead content worsens the case, especially around:
“dark smoke”
public health impact.
“dark smoke”
.
public health impact
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Because of lead exposure:
Duty to protect:
Employees
Public
.
Weekly burning of leaded fuel could raise:
COSHH issues (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
Local authority powers
Councils can act under:
Statutory nuisance
Smoke emissions
Public health protection
Lead emissions = high priority trigger
The worst part of this is, is that people living around these areas have no decision making ability in whether they accept these risks, as these things are kept quiet or not known. This is at Government Council (local or national), Government Department, Residential levels, so we are unable to make health choices for our families.
And our health is in the hands of a system that relies on self policing, honest reporting, Management/Owner that know the risks (or even care).
Looking at the information above on how a Local Council should be acting on this it raises questions of honesty, competancy and willing to do what is right for the health of us and our children across the UK.