Air Pollution

“Aircraft fly over head emitting toxic compounds in massive amounts and these emissions are spread generally over an area 12 miles long, 12 miles wide on take-off, 12 miles by 6 miles on landing, (per runway and/or flight track).  The area heavily contaminated by a light to medium traffic two runway airport is approximately 12 miles around the field and 20 miles or more downwind.” (http://areco.org/pollution.htm) 

The 63 nightly FedEx cargo flights and 120 trucks will add 60 tons per year of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and 270 tons per year of NOx (nitrogenoxides).  VOCs and NOx are ground-level ozone precursors.  In addition to ground-level ozone (smog), planes and trucks are significant sources of cancer-causing toxic emissions such as benzene and formaldehyde.  A third major class of environmental chemicals which are dangerous to human health are non-volatile organic compounds found in particulate matter (soot) which can cause irritation to the respiratory tract.  Very fine particulate matter is especially insidious because it finds its way into the lungs more easily and lodges there.  EPA standards are being tightened to address this tiny form of soot.  The combination of exposure to these chemicals and lung injury due to chronic irritation can be a powerful inducer to several respiratory diseases and has also been associated with deaths due to cardiac disease.

According to a Boeing physicist, the air pollution levels from one 747 takeoff is similar to setting the local gas station on fire and then flying it over your head!  Others have compared  the pollution from just one, two-minute 747 takeoff to operating 2.4 million lawnmowers simultaneously.

With the additional air pollution of 60 more landings and 60 more takeoffs at the airport, plus 120 more trucks on the road, plus hundreds more out-of-town commuters traveling to the cargo hub, how many more Code Orange days will Greensboro have?  Orange is the third of four levels:  In Code Orange conditions, children and older adults are urged to stay inside and avoid exertion.  High ozone readings and chronic exposure to pollutants cause negative effects on immune function, cardiopulmonary diseases, and various respiratory diseases which are especially a threat in children, asthmatics, outdoor exercisers/workers, and the elderly.  Children are more sensitive to pollutants because they breathe 50% more air per body weight than the average adult and their developing respiratory system is more susceptible to air pollution damage. 

North Carolina violated EPA federal ozone standards 539 times in 1999.  Forsyth County exceeded the smog limit 37 times in 1999 and Guilford County exceeded the smog limit 18 times last year. (1/14/00 N&R)  The Piedmont Triad had 33 Code Orange days (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) and 2 Code Red days (Unhealthy) in 1998.  In 1999, the Triad had 27 Code Orange days, 2 Code Red days, and one day (8/13) was rated Code Purple (Very Unhealthy).  (See www.co.forsyth.nc.us/EnvAffairs).  If FedEx comes to the area, they will be emitting environmentally hazardous and toxic chemicals which turn into ground smog, thus increasing ozone level.  There is no air quality permit required for these emissions.  Airports are exempt from federal laws that require reporting of toxic substances.  Thus, local and state regulators may not compel airports to comply to EPA mandated emission levels.  Existing businesses, however, which emit VOCs are caught in a double bind between more stringent EPA standards and a company (FedEx) which can emit tons of pollutants with impunity.  These businesses will be thrust into “non-attainment” and will have to pay much higher air quality permit fees.  The state of North Carolina is currently suing the EPA in regard to these new standards, but that measure is viewed as a delay of the inevitable at best. 

A May 25, 1999,  NPR broadcast reported that companies are choosing not to go to Atlanta because of quality of life concerns for their employees:  traffic congestion, air and water pollution.   After emphasizing jobs and growth for many years, Atlanta’s leaders are now forced to try to rectify the environmental problems they have created.  (See www.npr.org; choose “Morning Edition” radio program, then select Archives, then select May 25, 1999, the third story, “Atlanta’s Growth.”  Also see “Air Pollution in Atlanta,” Morning Edition, 8/23/99.  Requires RealPlayer to hear broadcast.)  Could this be Greensboro in 20 years, assuming we don’t run out of water before then?