|  | Public Health Safety | Environmental Health

The Effect of Jet Fuel Emissions on Humans

Commercial airplanes and military aircraft technology have proved to be an enormous benefit to society in the realm of individual transportation and protecting national security. However, one cost of this benefit is the potential effect of jet fuel on human health. Jet fuel ingredients and additives have been shown to cause negative health effects in laboratory animals, ranging from mild symptoms to cancer, and in extreme cases, death.

  1. Significance

    • Jet fuels are the most common fuels used in turbine engines around the world and are utilized the most for aviation fuels. During World War II, Kerosene was used most widely for jet engines due to its availability, and it has remained as a centerpiece to fuel the modern jet aircraft. Jet propulsion fuel (known as JP-8) is essentially the same as jet fuel for the commercial airline industry (i.e. Jet A), yet it also contains performance enhancing additives.

    Health Effects of Jet Fuel

    • The health effects of jet fuel on humans varies depending on dose, exposure, and the route of contamination to the body. The non-cancerous health effects are irritation, redness, and skin rash if exposure is through skin contact as well as varrying neurotoxicity effects, including delayed eye blink response. Although benzene---an ingredient in jet fuel---is identified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are no definitive studies in humans which show that it causes cancer or leukemia.

    Health Effects of Jet Fuel Additives

    • Perchlorate, a powdery additive that is an ingredient in rocket fuel, is known to have health effects on humans due to its contamination in groundwater sources present in over 20 states. Initially entering groundwater, perchlorate makes its way into the U.S. foodchain through crops and livestock. Although the additive has minimal health risks in average adults, it can affect thyroid hormone levels, which can potentially inhibit brain development in fetuses or newborns.

    Considerations

    • Although it is difficult for scientists to measure the potential dose (or quantity that causes effects) that humans have when exposed to jet fuel and its additives, health effects such as cancer and leukemia have been found in laboratory animals. However, it is important to note that modeling such effects in animals cannot be directly applied to humans. Physical proximity to airports (for example, where their residence is located) and frequency of airline travel are two factors that increase a person's exposure to jet fuel.

    Expert Insight

    • Residents who live near commercial airports or military bases often have expressed concern over the potential environmental health effects of jet fuel pollution. However, studies conducted by the Illinois and Washington State Departments of Health near the O'Hare, Midway and SeaTac airports found no evidence to substantiate a clear elevation of cancer cases in the surrounding communities. Similarly, studies suggest that there are no elevated cancer and leukemia rates related to aircraft emissions near the Fallen, Nevada Naval Training Station.

Environmental Health - Related Articles