Airports Carry an Additional Risk

A study, carried out in 2018 on 21 fit, young subjects, in a trailer outside Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, has revealed yet another pollution risk (additional to the release of 'greenhouse' gases) associated with air travel (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/01/pollutionwatch-fine-particles-affect-lungs-of-those-near-airports). The trailer had exercise bikes and equipment for measuring air-blown pollution. On some days, the wind direction carried atmospheric pollution from the surrounding roads and on other days directly from the airport. Jet engines produce ultra-fine particles, that are often undetected by recording devices. It has been shown (in Barcelona, Helsinki, London and Zurich, as well as Schiphol), that these tiny particles can be carried, by winds, tens of kilometres from airports. The vigourously exercising subjects showed, when exposed to the jet engine particles, marked reductions in their lung capacity and changes in their heart function. It is highly probable that, chronically, these particles would have even more profound effect. The negative health consequences on younger and older subjects (especially those with conditions like asthma) are also likely to be more intense. More study is needed but it seems there is another good reason for reducing, rather than increasing, air travel.