There's No Excuse for Lead Pollution at the Hillsboro Airport
The following guest opinion by Hillsboro resident Blaine Ackley appeared in the Hillsboro News-Times on July 11, 2023. To access the on-line version click here.
There's No Excuse for Lead Pollution at the Hillsboro Airport
Blaine Ackley
According to the federal EPA, the Hillsboro Airport (HIO) is the eighth-most lead-contaminated airport out of the 20,000 airports that they studied around the country.
Yet, the Port of Portland continues to endanger the public health of the people living in and around the airport by continuing to sell leaded aviation fuel for piston driven aircraft even when they know that it is harmful to people's health. And they know that there is an unleaded fuel that is available to use if they wanted to do so.
This fall, the EPA is expected to issue a ruling that lead is a danger to public health in any amount.
Meanwhile, HIO airport users of leaded aviation fuel continue to drop tons of lead over the homes and businesses within 1.5 miles of the airport.
I have asked the City of Hillsboro, Hillsboro School District, Washington County, and the Port of Portland to join the EPA, the CDC, and HUD in issuing a proclamation to declare the week of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. As of this date, not one governmental agency is willing to even make their citizens aware of the dangers of lead poisoning.
This is an ostrich response, bury your head in the sand and pretend that it will just go away. Lead never goes away, so good luck with that.
You have to wonder why won't these agencies do anything to protect their own citizens who they were elected to represent?
This year National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) is October 22-28, 2023. As explained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "NLPPW is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and tribal, state and local governments to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead poisoning prevention awareness. October is also Children's Health Month, a time to raise awareness about children's environmental health, including the dangers and potential health impacts of lead."
Take Action
Urge local, state, and federal elected officials to issue a proclamation in support of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and the expedited elimination of leaded aviation fuel. Contact information for elected officials is available here.
| © Oregon Aviation Watch | Contact Us |  Jump to Top |