A new study has uncovered significant evidence that airports are a previously underestimated source of airborne chemical contamination, offering the first detailed look into the hidden pollution linked to non-exhaust aviation emissions.
While the aviation sector is vital for global connectivity, researchers at University of Venice say its environmental impact extends well beyond jet fuel combustion.
The study focuses on tyre wear particles (TWPs) – microscopic rubber fragments generated during landings, take-offs, and other high-friction manoeuvres. These particles contribute to atmospheric PM10 and can transport chemical additives into surrounding environments.
Senior author Prof Andrea Gambaro said: ‘Although TWPs can derive from all tyre-equipped vehicles, they might pose a higher risk at airports considering the large amount produced especially during the landings and the take offs. So far, airport non-exhaust emissions are still poorly studied, leaving a huge knowledge gap.’
The research team analysed the PM10 around Milan Linate Airport, examining eight tyre-related chemical markers known as benzothiazoles (BTHs), alongside 23 additional chemical species.
Their findings reveal that concentrations of BTHs in outdoor airport PM10 were noticeably higher than levels recorded in heavily trafficked Italian cities including Milan and Collegno, signalling a strong local contribution from airport activity.
The sampling site was strategically positioned between two potential pollution sources: road traffic and airport operations. By integrating wind direction data with chemical fingerprinting, the researchers could distinguish between the two.
Lead author Dr Giovanna Mazzi explained: ‘By cross-referencing our results with wind direction data, we managed to discriminate the contribution of the two sources. This way, we discovered that the airport emits especially four benzothiazoles, two of which demonstrated a strong correlation among each other.’
These linked compounds did not display similar behaviour in PM10 samples taken from other Northern Italian cities, reinforcing the theory that specific BTHs originate from airport processes.
Using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), the study identified three main pollutant clusters: two associated with airport operations and one connected to medium-range atmospheric transport.
While an ecotoxicological assessment indicated low occupational risk from BTH exposure at Linate, the researchers emphasise that the broader environmental implications of chronic, airport-derived chemical inputs remain insufficiently understood.
Mazzi concluded: ‘Although further research is still needed, these findings represent a key step toward identifying specific chemical markers for tracing airport non-exhaust emissions into the air.’
The full research can be read here.
Photo: Neo Lee / Unsplash
Leave a Reply