Fix the Harm

STACC4J

The IssuES

Air and noise pollution from SeaTac Airport and its flights harm the
environment, our health and the climate of our planet.

Why Are We Focusing on Planes?

1.

Air and noise pollution come from roads, planes, and other sources

2.

Road air pollution will decrease with vehicle electrification.

3.

Airplane clean fuel and clean technology are not available yet.

How many flights?

SeaTac Airport had 450,000 take offs and landings before Covid.

In 2023 it had 420,000 take offs and landings.

Statistics courtesy of Port of Seattle
Statistics courtesy of Port of Seattle

The Harms

Illustration of people coughing and a plane flying over

Environmental

Illustrations of people coughing and plugging their ears with plane flying over them

Health

Illustration of plane flying around burning planet

Climate

Environmental Harms

What pollutants come from flights?

EPA “Hazardous Pollutants”

Particulate matter (PM), Carbon monoxide (CO)

Others: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulfur oxides (SOx), Ozone (O3), Lead (Pb), Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Source: EPA Nitrogen Dioxide

Why is particulate matter a major health concern?

Airports and their flights are distinct sources of ultrafine particles. Ultrafine particles are unregulated and not frequently monitored

Depending on size, particles can impact your respiratory tract and enter your bloodstream. Ultrafine particles that enter your blood stream can have health impacts across your whole body.

Diagram of particles entering the body

Health Harms

“People living in airport communities are disproportionately more likely to experience poor health and less access to resources.”

Community Health and Airport Operations Related Noise and Air Pollution: Report to the Legislature in Response to Washington State HOUSE BILL 1109
Map of Seattle Neighborhoods with markers indicating their proximity to SeaTac Airport
Map of King County indicating proximity to SeaTac Airport.

Communities within 10 miles of SeaTac Airport have life expectancies 1.7 to 5.0 years shorter than the rest of King County.

Health Impacts of Noise and Air Pollution

Noise Pollution

Air Pollution

We also have higher rates of:

Illustration of child using inhaler

Asthma

Illustration of lung disease

Lung Disease

Illustration of woman getting blood pressure measured

High Blood Pressure

Illustration of hand reaching out under premature baby

Premature Birth

Pregnancies within 10 miles of SeaTac Airport are 43% more likely to result in a premature births.

Hospitalization Rates in Airport Communities

Chart of hospitalization rates in King County communities

Climate Harms

Carbon from aircraft exhaust is greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution

Greenhouse gas pollution causes hotter weather and other climate changes.

25% of global GHG will be caused from aviation by 2050.

15% of King County GHG are caused from aviation pollution.

And SeaTac wants to serve more flights.

The Injustices

Why Unjust?

SeaTac Airport impacts over 419,000 residents living near the airport and under its flight paths.

64% people of color (POC) and 29% immigrants and refugees

Our communities are more vulnerable because they are in or near low income areas and lack access to healthcare.

Why are they more vulnerable?

Twice as many children live in or near low income areas.

Adults are more likely to be uninsured.

When insured, adults are less to see doctors because of cost.

More immigrants live within 10 miles of the airport.

info@fixtheharm.org