Tagpollution(89)

This 1998/1999 study by the Washington State Department of Ecology monitored levels of oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter in the SeaTac area, likely in relation to emissions from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and surrounding traffic. Prepared by Jim Frost and Doug Knowlton of Ecology's Air Program, the report assessed local air quality conditions during that period. It serves as a technical reference for understanding pollution levels near the airport in the late 1990s.

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.

A 1996 Natural Resources Defense Council report estimates that approximately 64,000 premature deaths from cardiopulmonary causes occur each year due to particulate air pollution (PM-10) across 239 American cities. The report ranks metropolitan areas by PM-10 concentration, attributable mortality, and mortality rate, with California cities like Visalia, Bakersfield, and Fresno topping the pollution charts. Note: this document addresses urban air quality and public health broadly and does not contain content specifically related to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

This January 1995 report, prepared by McCulley, Frick & Gilman, Inc. for the Port of Seattle's Aviation Planning Department, presents the results of an air quality survey conducted at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The study measured volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde at multiple locations around the airport during late 1993, comparing upwind and downwind air samples to assess the airport's impact on local air quality. Findings were evaluated against Washington State Department of Ecology standards and compared with air quality data from other urban areas.

This document contains detailed chemical and environmental property data for Aroclor 1254, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture, including its molecular weight, water solubility, vapor pressure, and environmental fate characteristics. It covers sorption coefficients, half-lives in various environmental compartments (water, soil, sediment, biota), and bioconcentration factors in fish and other organisms. The data is compiled from numerous scientific studies published between the 1970s and late 1980s.

A May 1991 Washington State Department of Ecology study, requested by state Representative Greg Fisher, identified Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as a major indirect source of air pollution, responsible for approximately 8% of carbon monoxide and 5% of nitrogen oxide emissions in King County. The report found that idling jets on the runway were the primary source of carbon monoxide, while aircraft climb and approach operations generated the most nitrogen oxide, with local pollution hotspots identified near South 154th Street, Seattle Christian School, and Tyee Golf Course. The study recommended minimizing runway queuing, reducing airport automobile traffic, exploring alternative fuels for ground support vehicles, and conducting further ground-level air quality testing around the airport.

This 1991 North Central Regional Extension publication explains that indoor air contains vast numbers of fine particles — such as smoke, dust, pollen, and bacteria — most of which are too small to be seen by the naked eye, with potentially over 400 million particles per cubic foot of air. It describes the size ranges of common indoor pollutants and the filtering devices used to capture them. Note: this document addresses residential indoor air quality and fine particle pollution, and does not contain information related to airport noise policy.

This 1973 report by ESL Incorporated examines air quality conditions at Seattle-Tacoma (SEA-TAC) Airport, covering pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, photochemical oxidants, and particulate matter. It analyzes existing meteorological and air quality data near the airport and assesses how local topography and climate influence pollution levels. The report concludes with recommended mitigation measures, including aircraft source controls, mobile source controls, and land-use alternatives to improve air quality in the SEA-TAC area.

This 1970 U.S. Weather Bureau technical memorandum by Wallace R. Donaldson examines air pollution caused by jet aircraft operations at Seattle-Tacoma Airport. The report, published by the Environmental Science Services Administration's Western Region office, investigates the environmental impact of jet exhaust and emissions in the airport's vicinity. It serves as an early government study linking aircraft activity to local air quality concerns in the Seattle-Tacoma area.