A review of health effects associated with exposure to jet engine emissions in and around airports

Environmental Health

Katja M. Bendtsen¹  Anne T. Saber¹  Elizabeth Bengtsen¹  Ulla Vogel² 

[1] National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark;National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark;Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark;

关键词: Jet engine emissions;    Airports;    Occupational exposure;    Particulate matter;    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons;    Biomarkers;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12940-020-00690-y

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAirport personnel are at risk of occupational exposure to jet engine emissions, which similarly to diesel exhaust emissions include volatile organic compounds and particulate matter consisting of an inorganic carbon core with associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals. Diesel exhaust is classified as carcinogenic and the particulate fraction has in itself been linked to several adverse health effects including cancer.MethodIn this review, we summarize the available scientific literature covering human health effects of exposure to airport emissions, both in occupational settings and for residents living close to airports. We also report the findings from the limited scientific mechanistic studies of jet engine emissions in animal and cell models.ResultsJet engine emissions contain large amounts of nano-sized particles, which are particularly prone to reach the lower airways upon inhalation. Size of particles and emission levels depend on type of aircraft, engine conditions, and fuel type, as well as on operation modes. Exposure to jet engine emissions is reported to be associated with biomarkers of exposure as well as biomarkers of effect among airport personnel, especially in ground-support functions. Proximity to running jet engines or to the airport as such for residential areas is associated with increased exposure and with increased risk of disease, increased hospital admissions and self-reported lung symptoms.ConclusionWe conclude that though the literature is scarce and with low consistency in methods and measured biomarkers, there is evidence that jet engine emissions have physicochemical properties similar to diesel exhaust particles, and that exposure to jet engine emissions is associated with similar adverse health effects as exposure to diesel exhaust particles and other traffic emissions.

【 授权许可】

CC BY