FAiR
https://www.fairchicago.org/
Q: What about the health risks and pollution resulting from such a busy airport?
A: The combustion of jet fuel yields gaseous and particulate exhaust that can be hazardous to the health of those living near an airport. Airport emissions have been linked to cancer, asthma, brain tumors, emphysema, heart disease, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, kidney damage, and numerous other conditions.
Jet fuel emissions include what are called ultrafine particulates. These ultrafine particles, black carbon, and nitrogen oxides can aggravate heart and lung conditions, including asthma and contribute to the development of blocked arteries. Ultrafine particulates are less than one-thousandth of the width of a human hair and can go deep into the lungs, make their way into the bloodstream, and spread to the brain, heart and other critical organs.
According to research done at LAX airport -- which has a similar configuration to O’Hare -- researchers discovered the highest concentration of ultrafine particulates, black carbon, and nitrogen oxides (roughly 6 to 8 times above normal) within a few miles of the airport and concentrations of wind-driven particles were found from jet exhaust over a 23-square-mile area. Applying these findings to O’Hare -- which has a much larger runway footprint -- the health implications for residents are staggering. Schools and homes within 10 miles of O’Hare are being inundated with toxic levels of emissions on a round-the-clock basis. Importantly, this confirms the accounts by residents in the suburbs and Chicago’s north and northwest side neighborhoods, validating their complaints that O’Hare is an overwhelming source of air pollution. They report that jet exhaust has covered their homes, schools, cars, and outdoor furniture with soot and film. These ultrafine particulates are currently not regulated by the EPA.
To read more,
1. Find more people impacted by air traffic noise and pollution and encourage them to complain
2. Find more people impacted by air traffic noise and pollution and encourage them to write to politicians
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