The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday said it was proposing to declare emissions from piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded fuel pose a danger to public health.
Emissions from the 190,000 U.S. general aviation airplanes operating on leaded fuel account for about 70% of the lead entering the atmosphere, according to U.S. government estimates.
HEATHROW AIRPORT COLLISION AS TWO INTERNATIONAL AIRLINERS CLIP EACH OTHER'S WINGS: REPORT
Lead is not in jet fuel, which is used by commercial aircraft.
EPA said if the proposed finding is finalized, it would subsequently propose regulatory standards for lead emissions from aircraft engines.