Mysterious flyer warns of lead from small planes

Hundreds of flyers have been sent to homes around Palm Springs International Airport warning the dangers of lead coming out from the exhaust of small planes.

No one is claiming responsibility, but it’s fueling concerns about the possible dangers of aviation fuel which contains lead.

“I was appalled and alarmed,” said Christopher Criag who received a notice on the door to his apartment located very close to the airport.

“If I had kids I would really be worried, I would probably consider moving,” said Craig.

The notice was placed on doors within one kilometer of the airport. It’s only a few sentences long. The flyer warns that people in the area are being exposed to lead produced by aviation fuel or avgas. Avgas is only used in small propeller style planes.

There’s no markings or letterhead on the flyer, but there is a link to the Center for Environmental Health’s website.

Representatives from the center said Prop 65 requires companies that sell avgas to inform the public about the possible dangers of lead for plane exhaust.

“There is simply no safe level of lead exposure. This stunningly toxic elementlowers IQ’s in children, effects reproductive health, and has been linked to cancer. Yet throughout the country, millions of children live and go to school within a half-mile of an airport where lead-containing avgas is sold and used. The aviation industry needs to phase it out sooner rather than later,” said Michael Green, Executive Director of The Center for Environmental Health

Signature Flight Support is one one of those companies, they told KESQ they have no knowledge of the flyer. The other company that sells avgas at Palm Springs Airport, Atlantic Aviation, refused to comment.

We talked to pilots who fly these planes all the time. They say they are not worried about lead in the air.

“If you have a handful of airplanes so what really do they do to the environment, so this is overkill,” said Peter Borowiak who has been flying planes for more than 30 years.

According to some studies lead pollution from small airplanes can adversely effect the nervous system, kidney function, and immune system among other ailments.

“It’s about 2 grams per gallon that get’s mixed in with the fuel, then it’s in the exhaust that gets pushed out and spread all over the place in very small concentrations,” said Brian Carr with Palm Springs Aviators.

We reached out to the Palm Springs Airport and the City of Palm Springs about these flyers, they have not called us back.