Angeles Chapter3250 Wilshire Blvd. #1106Los Angeles, CA 90010-1513 October 18, 2022
Honorable Mayor and City CouncilCity of Long Beach411 W. Ocean BoulevardLong Beach, CA 90802 Subject: Support for Long Beach City Council Agenda Item R-23 – Transition toUnleaded Aviation Fuels Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council,
This Tuesday, you have the opportunity to take action on an important issue– airborne lead pollution and the impacts it has on city’s youth. Currently, the useof leaded fuel by small, piston-engine aircraft at the Long Beach airport emitsmore than 1,500 pounds of lead each year.
Recent studies have shown that airborne lead emitted from airports canhave significant impacts on children who live or go to school near or downwindfrom an airport. On days when small-plane traffic is high, children who live nearthe Reid-Hillview Airport, in the city of San Jose, suffer from blood lead levelsequivalent or higher than children who lived in Flint, Michigan, during the recentwater crisis. As Long Beach’s airport emits more lead than Reid-Hillview, this is apublic health issue that should be addressed with urgency.
With recent news from the FAA regarding a possible endangerment findingon leaded aircraft emissions, and new unleaded piston-engine coming onto themarket, this is a moment where Long Beach needs to step up and lead. Someairports, like Van Nuys, have already taken action to incentivize the use ofunleaded fuel. City and Airport staff should be engaged in discussions with theFederal Aviation Administration around how to craft regulations on emissions that
place the interests of frontline communities first, while also taking local action toreduce airborne lead emissions in the immediate term.
We urge you to support agenda item R-23: the resolution proposed by yourcolleague Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, in support of a transition away fromdangerous unleaded fuel use and towards a safer and healthier city andenvironment for our youth.
Sincerely,
Morgan GoodwinSierra Club Angeles Chapter Director