TagLogan International Airport(4)

This presentation outlines the 'Airproofing' pilot project aimed at improving air quality for residents of East Boston, a neighborhood heavily impacted by pollution from nearby Logan Airport. The project, a collaboration between Air Partners, Olin College of Engineering, Aerodyne Research, and community organizations, examines the problem of airport-related air pollution, explores protective solutions for homes and buildings, and describes testing methods and resource needs. While focused on East Boston, the initiative offers a potential model for addressing aviation-related air quality burdens in other airport-adjacent communities.

A study of residences near Boston's Logan International Airport found that jet engine exhaust significantly raises ultrafine particle concentrations both outdoors and indoors, with levels roughly 1.7 times higher when winds blow from the airport's direction. Researchers monitored 16 homes located 4–6 km from the airport and confirmed that aviation-related particles penetrate inside residences, posing potential health risks to nearby communities. While focused on Logan Airport, the authors note these findings are likely applicable to other major airports, including those in dense urban areas.

Two studies highlight serious air pollution concerns near major U.S. airports. A 2014 Massachusetts state health study found that children living near Boston's Logan Airport are up to four times more likely to develop asthma symptoms, while nearby adults are nearly twice as likely to suffer chronic lung disease. A 2015 NJIT study reinforced these concerns nationwide, finding pollution levels up to 10 times higher within nine square miles of airports—with Seattle-Tacoma Airport specifically cited for carbon monoxide levels exceeding federal guidelines.