A 1999 University of Washington study measured nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to determine whether aircraft operations were harming local air quality. Researchers found that NO2 levels at all monitoring sites remained well below federal safety standards, and that regional conditions and nearby freeways — not aircraft — were the primary drivers of local pollution. The study concluded that airport operations had only a small, difficult-to-isolate effect on community NO2 levels, estimated at less than 7 parts per billion above background levels.Open full document
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A study conducted by the University of Washington for the Washington State Department of Ecology assessing NO2 levels around Sea-Tac International Airport. The study used diffusion badges at 16 locations to measure annual NO2 concentrations and evaluate compliance with the NAAQS standard. Results showed all sites were well below the standard, with NO2 levels decreasing from east to west and with distance from runways and freeways, while airport impact on NOX levels was small and not a dominant source.