Why Is The World Avoiding The Fact That Airplanes Are a Major Cause of Pollution

On November 5, 2004, as chairman of the Rye Brook Airport Council, I attend a meeting of the FCWC (Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Inc.), an organization which is dedicated to Environmental Protection and Education for the Preservation of our Natural Resources. The topic of the day was Health Impacts from Transportation. Aircraft and Airport  air pollution was a major part of the conference.

Two speakers on the subject were Jack Saporito, Executive Director of the Alliance of Residents Concerning O’Hare Airport and Thomas Abinanti of the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

According to Mr. Saporito, “Toxic air travels more than 20 miles away. An increase of only 15 jets per day causes significant cancer. Twenty percent of children are more likely to die of leukemia. Our life span is shorter comparable to third world countries. Warming effect in high, upper air is more apparent than ground based. Money would be better spent on rail lines. Flight increases are a result of economic growth; not vice versa. Expansion at Baltimore Airport poisoned their water supply. No one has been able to figure out how much government subsidy to airlines is amongst Federal, State and City contributions since most airlines have never made money. On the other hand Amtrak receives only small subsidies. If more were allocated to rails we could eliminate all unnecessary short trips by air and build more rail lines.”

Mr. Abinanti reported that, “the County was in violation of air quality standards.”  At the time, as chair of the Environment Committee, he presented “Westchester Board of Legislators Clean Air Task Force Report.” This report failed to address airline pollution. When I questioned him about the omission. He said that would be addressed at another time by another group.

Shortly thereafter, the County  Administration or Board of Legislators proposed a law that will help control some of the increasing numbers of air taxi flights at Westchester County Airport. Has anyone heard any support for this law regarding airport pollution??  It seems to have just died and further growth at the airport has proceeded. The only effort I know of is the replacement of all motor vehicles needed for the maintenance at the airport with electric instead of fuel.

The Airport Environmental Management System (AEMS), in conformance with the requirements of the International ISO 14001 standard does not address air quality. Apparently it is too difficult to implement a program for the world to adhere to.

Currently, one of the chores of the County Transportation and Public Works Department is to conduct an economic value analysis of the airport. Aviation technology regarding pollution is not keeping up with airport expansion. Even the Federal Department of the FAA has encountered difficulties. It is time to realize that Westchester County Airport has reached capacity and any further efforts to increase the footprint of the terminal and encourage more traffic by enlarging gates and building additional gates must cease.