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Earthjustice submitted an August 24th Petition to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) asking that it make an endangerment finding under Section 231 of the Clean Air Act in regards to aviation gasoline (“Avgas”).

The Petition alleges that Avgas contributes to air pollution, harming public health and welfare.

The Petition is submitted on behalf of nonprofit and governmental organizations including:

• Alaska Community Action on Toxics
• Center for Environmental Health
• Friends of the Earth
• Montgomery-Gibbs environmental Coalition
• Oregon Aviation Watch
• County of Santa Clara

The arguments made in support of the Petition include:

• Lead, which is used in fuel for general aviation, is harmful to human health at any level
• EPA has thus far failed to make an endangerment finding on lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft, despite repeated opportunities to do so
• Leaded Avgas Meets the Criteria for an Endangerment Finding
• Lead air pollution is reasonably anticipated to endanger public health or welfare
• Lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft cause or contribute to harmful lead air pollution

A copy of the Petition can be downloaded here.