Lead Gradient Study of Ambient Air Surrounding the McClellan-Palomar Airport

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The San Diego County APCD collaborated with the County Department of Public Works conducted a special “Lead Gradient Study” of the ambient air surrounding the McClellan-Palomar Airport in which levels of the heavy metal lead (emitted from the combustion of leaded aviation gasoline) were measured from April to May 2013 and determined to be well below national limits. This study was conducted in response to an earlier US EPA lead study where lead levels were measured at only a single location in the exhaust plumes of the aircraft engine run-up area, which is not representative of the public's exposure.