Air district studies leaded avgas at Sacramento Executive Airport; to add portable monitoring after further site review

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District received a staff briefing Sept. 25 on lead in aviation gasoline (avgas) with a focus on Sacramento Executive Airport and nearby communities.

Amy Roberts, division director for engineering and compliance at the district, said the agency prepared a white paper at the air pollution control officer’s request to summarize the national, state and local status of leaded aviation fuel and its potential impacts. “Our communities also care about exposure to different air pollutants such as lead and what can be done to reduce the impacts,” Roberts said.

Regulatory context: Roberts summarized recent federal and state actions. She said a 2023 EPA endangerment finding flagged small‑aircraft avgas as harmful to public health and that the FAA’s 2024 reauthorization act directs restrictions on leaded fuel use by 2030 while preserving existing availability until a safe transition can be certified. Roberts also cited California Senate Bill 1193, which sets a state target date to prohibit sale of leaded avgas by Jan. 1, 2031.

Local emissions and monitoring:…