Options for Reducing Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft
2021

You must be logged in to download this publication.

Select Book Type

Paperback - $46.80

See project
Request an exam or desk copy

Small gasoline-powered aircraft are the single largest emitter of lead in the United States, as other major emission sources such as automobile gasoline have been previously addressed. A highly toxic substance that can result in an array of negative health effects in humans, lead is added to aviation gasoline to meet the performance and safety requirements of a sizable portion of the country's gasoline-powered aircraft.

Significantly reducing lead emissions from gasoline-powered aircraft will require the leadership and strategic guidance of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a broad-based and sustained commitment by other government agencies and the nation's pilots, airport managers, aviation fuel and service suppliers, and aircraft manufacturers, according to a congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

While efforts are underway to develop an unleaded aviation fuel that can be used by the entire gasoline-powered fleet, the uncertainty of success means that other steps should also be taken to begin reducing lead emissions and exposures, notes the report, titled TRB Special Report 336: Options for Reducing Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft.

Piston-engine aircraft are critical to performing general aviation (GA) functions like aerial observation, medical airlift, pilot training, and business transport. Other GA functions, such as crop dusting, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and air taxi service, have particular significance to communities in rural and remote locations.

Accompanying the report is a three-page highlight summary that provides a condensed version of the findings.

Additional materials

Highlights

Publication information

178 pages · 6 x 9 · paperback
ISBN Paperback: 0-309-25680-1
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-25686-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/26050

Suggested citation

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2021. Options for Reducing Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Import this citation to:

Bibtext
EndNote
Reference manager

First Name
Last Name
Email (required)
I agree to receive emails from the National Academies (required)

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.

Search this publication

Front Matter i-xvi
Summary 1-14
1 Introduction 15-28
2 Background on the Piston-Engine Aircraft Fleet and Airports 29-42
3 General Aviation Lead Emissions and Their Potential Health Impacts 43-70
4 Changing Operations and Practices at Airports to Reduce Aviation Lead 71-86
5 Existing Fuel Options for Piston-Engine Aircraft to Reduce Lead 87-104
6 Potential Future Lead-Free Fuels and Propulsion Systems 105-124
7 Conclusion 125-138
Appendix A: Committee Member Biographies 139-144
Appendix B: Open-Session Meeting Agendas 145-148
Appendix C: Statutory Provisions (42 U.S.C. 7571 7573 and 49 U.S.C. 44714) 149-152
Appendix D: Ethylene Dibromide 153-154
Appendix E: Occupational Health 155-162

Log In

Former MyNAP users: You'll need to reset your password on your first login to MyAcademies. Click "Forgot password" below to receive a reset link via email. Having trouble? Visit our FAQ page to contact support.

Members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, or National Academy of Medicine should log in through their respective Academy portals.

Email (required)
Password (required)

Don't have an account?

Register

Email (required)
New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters
I accept the terms of use
terms of use

Thank You

Thank you for creating a MyAcademies account!

Enjoy free access to thousands of National Academies' publications, a 10% discount off every purchase, and build your personal library.

Forgot Password

Enter the email address for your MyAcademies (formerly MyNAP) account to receive password reset instructions.

Email (required)

Reset Requested

We sent password reset instructions to your email . Follow the link in that email to create a new password. Didn't receive it? Check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.

Reset Password

New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters

Reset Password

Your password has been reset.

Verify email

Verify Your Email Address

We sent a verification link to your email. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) and follow the link to verify your email address. If you did not receive the email, you can request a new verification link below

Options for Reducing Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft (2021)

Chapter: Summary

Additional materials

Publication information

Suggested citation

My Academies

Options for Reducing Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft (2021)

Chapter: Summary