4 ms·

Damn, it makes so much sense that aviation fuel is leaded. I have been a fortunately healthy person for my life, but at one point I lived downtown San Jose (whi

by nawgz 5y ago

Damn, it makes so much sense that aviation fuel is leaded. I have been a fortunately healthy person for my life, but at one point I lived downtown San Jose (which for the non-locals has an airport in the middle of the city), right under the main landing/takeoff path. I got sick 6x a year or more. After 1 and 2/3 years, I realized that it was probably the planes and moved away, and now I haven't been sick since except maybe once or twice (over 3y). Just awful.

slownews45 5y ago
It's unlikely to have been a direct cause given the (relatively) low levels of lead avgas generates, but it almost certainly has some effect. The question is, given that it's so clearly a poison (maybe a top 10 poison) - why spray it into the air above residential neighborhood? Lead impacts are around things like "anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs. The neurological and behavioural effects of lead are believed to be irreversible." Reality is measurable increases in lead concentrations in blood near airports is very small. But does look like it exists.
mlyle 5y ago
Large airplanes/jets do not use leaded fuels. Only small piston planes. Even right under the takeoff path, aviation lead exposure would only be a moderate proportion of your total lead exposure.
- nawgz 5y ago
  Interesting, I see what you are saying. Well, I guess aviation fuel byproducts aren't great to have sprayed on your home every day either way :)
idiotsecant 5y ago
While it's unlikely that you had significant lead exposure due to this as others have pointed out, I also wouldn't discount your issues with getting sick more often, particularly if it was upper respiratory illnesses - people who live under airport flight paths are exposed to up to 4x as much harmful exhaust gas byproducts, superfine particulates, and other nasty particles* vs baseline. It's amazing that airports aren't required to purchase and relocate the (typically poor) people who are absolutely getting their lifespans shortened by living near an airport. *(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32639745/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32639745/)
- lovecg 5y ago
  Most airports, at the time there were built were located in a relatively remote area. The city typically moves closer to the airport, not the other way around. It would require an unreasonable amount of foresight to buy out all this (at the time quite empty) land ahead of time.

by nawgz 5y ago

slownews45 5y ago

It's unlikely to have been a direct cause given the (relatively) low levels of lead avgas generates, but it almost certainly has some effect. The question is, given that it's so clearly a poison (maybe a top 10 poison) - why spray it into the air above residential neighborhood? Lead impacts are around things like "anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs. The neurological and behavioural effects of lead are believed to be irreversible." Reality is measurable increases in lead concentrations in blood near airports is very small. But does look like it exists.

mlyle 5y ago

Large airplanes/jets do not use leaded fuels. Only small piston planes. Even right under the takeoff path, aviation lead exposure would only be a moderate proportion of your total lead exposure.

nawgz 5y ago
Interesting, I see what you are saying. Well, I guess aviation fuel byproducts aren't great to have sprayed on your home every day either way :)

idiotsecant 5y ago

While it's unlikely that you had significant lead exposure due to this as others have pointed out, I also wouldn't discount your issues with getting sick more often, particularly if it was upper respiratory illnesses - people who live under airport flight paths are exposed to up to 4x as much harmful exhaust gas byproducts, superfine particulates, and other nasty particles* vs baseline. It's amazing that airports aren't required to purchase and relocate the (typically poor) people who are absolutely getting their lifespans shortened by living near an airport. *(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32639745/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32639745/)

lovecg 5y ago
Most airports, at the time there were built were located in a relatively remote area. The city typically moves closer to the airport, not the other way around. It would require an unreasonable amount of foresight to buy out all this (at the time quite empty) land ahead of time.