A recent study conducted by the environmental group Transport & Environment (T&E) has revealed a concerning risk to public health in the UK. The study indicates that approximately six million individuals, constituting about 9% of the UK population, residing within a 20km radius of major airports including London Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow, and Manchester, are being exposed to “ultrafine particles” (UFPs) emitted by aircraft.
These UFPs, measuring below 100 nanometres in diameter and significantly smaller than a human hair, pose a serious health threat as they can deeply penetrate the human body, being detected in blood, brain tissues, and even placentas. The study, conducted by Dutch consultancy CE Delft on behalf of T&E, highlights that across Europe, a staggering 52 million people are affected by emissions from the 32 busiest airports.
Exposure to UFPs has been associated with the development of severe and long-term health conditions such as respiratory issues, cardiovascular effects, and pregnancy complications. According to the findings, exposure to UFPs could potentially lead to approximately 280,000 cases of high blood pressure, 330,000 cases of diabetes, and 18,000 cases of dementia in Europe alone.
The research indicates that individuals living within a 5km radius of an airport are inhaling air containing an average of 3,000 to 10,000 ultrafine particles per centimetre cubed emitted by aircraft. Remarkably, this range is comparable to levels experienced by residents in busy city centres.
Addressing the issue, the study suggests that utilizing higher quality jet fuel could significantly reduce UFP emissions by up to 70%. The composition of the fuel plays a crucial role in emission levels, and employing hydrotreatment, a process already utilized in other fuel sectors, could effectively clean the fuel at a cost of less than 5p per litre.
Despite potential solutions, the researchers note a reluctance within the aviation industry to implement stricter standards, largely due to concerns about increased costs. The study recommends not only improving fuel quality but also advocating for measures to reduce air traffic and encouraging the adoption of cleaner technologies such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and zero-emission aircraft.
While the World Health Organisation identified UFPs as an emerging pollutant over a decade ago, there remains a lack of specific regulations governing safe levels of these particles in the air.
Matt Finch, T&E’s UK policy manager, expressed concern over governmental inaction, attributing the issue to prioritizing profits over pollution control. Similarly, Tim Johnson, director at the Aviation Environment Federation, emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive review of UK air pollution regulations, which have not been updated in over two decades.
Henry Gregg, director of external affairs at Asthma and Lung UK, echoed these concerns, calling for increased government intervention to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution on vulnerable populations, particularly those living near airports.
