A new study from Colorado State University found that lead levels in the blood of children living near airports are higher due to the leaded gasoline of aircraft.
According to the study, 4 million Americans live within about 547 yards (500 meters) of an airport that has aircraft using leaded fuel, and 170,000 such aircraft are in use nationwide.
The study recorded 14,000 blood lead samples from children younger than 5 years old residing near one such airport, the Reid-Hillview Airport in Santa Clara County, California.
The study found that lead in the blood increased as proximity to the airport was increased. More specifically, children east and predominantly downwind from the airport had increased lead levels….