The Environmental and Health Impact of Aviation

This report summarises policy options and provides background information relevant to the impact of aviation on the environment and on human health. The report focuses on the impacts judged to be most significant and has been carried out through a combination of literature survey (reviewed literature and available grey literature), interviews with individuals from key European organisations involved in aviation, environment, or aviation medicine, and internet research. The impacts surveyed are aircraft noise, aircraft engine emissions (especially their impact on climate), resource use, and human health impacts from cosmic radiation, cabin air quality (pathogens, volatile organic compounds), and deep vein thrombosis. Policy options are identified where appropriate and the background information required to understand the options is provided and notes on broader issues are included. The key issues currently relate to (1) the next round of agreements on aircraft noise ("chapter 4 aircraft"), (2) the steps to be taken to include aviation in the steps to stabilise emissions of carbon dioxide (because of their role in climate change), and (3) concerns about passenger health. Of these, the noise agreements are closest to being finalised, the climate change concerns are important but are further from agreement, and the current consensus is that there is little evidence to justify serious concern over passenger health although airlines could improve their practices. The report includes an extensive list of sources which can be consulted for further information.