Aviation gasoline (“avgas”) is the largest source of new emissions of lead, a toxin that can cause severe and irreversible human health impacts. In 2021, we collaborated with Earthjustice to prepare a petition requesting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) use its authority under the Clean Air Act to make rules regulating lead emissions from avgas. In 2022, the EPA accepted the petition and started the rulemaking process. We then collaborated with the Stanford Environmental Law Clinic to prepare and submit comments to the EPA in support of this rulemaking. We also helped prepare County speakers and draft submittals for a U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee hearing on the adverse health effects of leaded avgas, and to oppose legislation in Congress that would require airports to continue selling leaded avgas.
