Northern Hills Homeowner's Association

Airport cancer risk is claimed

Jan 21, 2001

January 21 2001 BRITAIN
Airport cancer risk is claimed
Copyright 2001 Times Newspapers Ltd.

THE HEALTH of residents living near Britain's big airports could be threatened by a dramatic increase in air travel, writes Jonathan
Ungoed-Thomas.

A report from Transport 2000, the environmental lobby group, will this week warn that toxic emissions from aircraft may heighten the risk of people who live nearby dying prematurely. The group's report highlights research that
shows increased rates of cancer around airports.

"The aviation industry is not just causing serious environmental damage, but
may be harming the health of people who live and work near airports," said Stephen Joseph, of Transport 2000. "The government must consider new
measures to curb the expected growth in aviation."

Aircraft emissions include benzene, a known carcinogen, and formaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen. The Transport 2000 report examines research by consultants at Chicago's O'Hare international airport, which concludes that
cancer risks were five times higher than the regional average for those living nearer the airport.

In a separate study, data from a government health census in Seattle comparing mortality rates for those living near its airport with those of the city overall, found that infant mortality near the airport was 50% greater, heart disease 57% greater and cancer deaths 37% greater.
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Let's make sure that the airport doesn't get moved to our neck of the woods.

John Penry