It’s taken nearly four decades for a global phase out of leaded petrol, light aircraft still use fuel containing lead to keep flying their planes. The US and the EU are looking to phase out this source of harmful lead pollution, but the UK is hanging back.

Aviation fuel AVGAS 100LL uses Tetraethlylead for fuel stability. When this lead is jettisoned from the engine at takeoff, these poisonous compounds are released into the air and soil – impacting the environment, and potentially exposing people in the surrounding area.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2 million deaths globally were attributed to chemical exposures in 2019, with lead exposure attributed to nearly half of these deaths. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead, which can cause “profound and permanent” adverse health impacts according to the WHO.

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Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today.

We want to hear from our listeners on what we can do to improve the podcast. To help us, and to be in with a chance to win £100 in John Lewis vouchers, please take part in our five-minute survey: https://www.endsreport.com/podcastsurvey

For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The ming vase that Sir Kier Starmer is holding heading into the general election and the green policies held inside.
• The implications of Reform UK’s manifesto promises, including a pledge to axe net zero within the first 100 days of office.
• And for the news-in-brief, we find out more about one of the worst cases of illegal tree felling in Wales for over three decades, the King’s favourite environmentalist and the Environment Bank’s chief stepping down after 18 years at the helm.

For our deep dive, we’ll take-off with Tim Johnson, director of the Aviation Environment Federation, to gain his fascinating insights into the science of contrails, the need to get to grips with aviation emissions and the airport expansions that could break our carbon budgets.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today.

We want to hear from our listeners on what we can do to improve the podcast. To help us, and to be in with a chance to win £100 in John Lewis vouchers, please take part in our five-minute survey: https://www.endsreport.com/podcastsurvey

For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The latest green policies and pledges hoping to win votes at the next election. We’ll discuss Labour’s pledge to create national forests for all, the Lib Dem’s love for water slides and water policy action and discuss where a new Conservative government might stand on the environment if elected.

• For the news-in-brief, we find out more about the firefighters being tested for PFAS contamination, the phosphates moratorium lifted in Poole Harbour and new data confirming that the Asian hornet is now able to tough it out when it comes to the UK’s winters.

• For our Deep Dive, we’ll speed through the facts of the secret ecological killer that is road run-off – a toxic cocktail of chemicals that is infiltrating our waterways across the country.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.