View Rule

The EPA is analyzing air quality modeling and monitoring information to make a determination, under section 231 of the Clean Air Act, of whether lead emissions from aircraft operating on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. This action follows a previous ANPRM on the topic. The NPRM will describe the endangerment determination that EPA proposes on lead emissions from general aviation aircraft. This will include a description of analyses that EPA conducted to inform the endangerment finding, such as the lead inventory relevant to use of leaded avgas, air quality monitoring, air quality modeling, and potential exposure information.

Overall Description of Deadline: In response to petitions from Friends of the Earth claiming EPA is unreasonably delaying responding to a 2006 petition EPA publicly committed to a 2017 NPRM endangerment determination.

Statement of Need: In 2011, piston-engine aircraft emissions of lead accounted for 58 percent, or 483 tons, of lead emitted to air in the U.S. The EPA is currently evaluating, under section 231 of the Clean Air Act, whether lead emitted by aircraft engines that use leaded fuel causes or contributes to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.

Summary of the Legal Basis: Section 231(a)(2)(A) of the CAA states that ‘‘The Administrator shall, from time to time, issue proposed emission standards applicable to the emission of any air pollutant from any class or classes of aircraft engines which in [her] judgment causes, or contributes to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.''

Alternatives: EPA is taking a step-wise approach by first evaluating whether aircraft lead emissions cause, or contributes to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. If the EPA were to make a positive endangerment finding, we then would be required under the Clean Air Act to propose and establish engine emissions standards concerning aircraft lead emissions. Alternatives would be identified were EPA to develop a proposal of engine emissions standards concerning aircraft lead emissions.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: EPA is taking a step-wise approach by first evaluating whether aircraft lead emissions cause, or contributes to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. If the EPA were to make a positive endangerment finding, we then would be required under the Clean Air Act to propose and establish engine emissions standards concerning aircraft lead emissions. Cost and benefits would be identified as appropriate were EPA to develop a proposal of engine emissions standards concerning aircraft lead emissions

Risks: EPA is taking a step-wise approach by first evaluating whether aircraft lead emissions cause, or contributes to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. If the EPA were to make a positive endangerment finding, we then would be required under the Clean Air Act to propose and establish engine emissions standards concerning aircraft lead emissions. Potential health benefits would be identified as appropriate were EPA to develop a proposal of engine emissions standards concerning aircraft lead emissions.