Preliminary data summary : airport deicing operations (revised)

64638629NTIS Invoice: 23019;NTIS Order #:PB2002107441PDFResearch PaperEPA/821/R-00/016DeicingAirport operationsTables (Data)Environmental impactsToxicityWaste managementUnited States. Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of WaterNTL-AVIATION-AVIATIONNTL-AVIATION-Aviation Safety/AirworthinessNTL-AVIATION-Aviation Energy and EnvironmentNTL-REFERENCES AND DIRECTORIES-StatisticsBTS Data DirectoryThe deicing and anti-icing of aircraft and airfield surfaces is required by the FederalAviation Administration (FAA) to ensure the safety of passengers; however, when performedwithout discharge controls in place, airport deicing operations can result in environmentalimpacts. In addition to potential aquatic life and human health impacts from the toxicity ofdeicing and anti-icing chemicals, the biodegradation of propylene or ethylene glycol (i.e., the basechemical of deicing fluid) in surface waters (i.e., lakes, rivers) can greatly impact water quality,including significant reduction in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. Reduced DO levels canultimately lead to fish kills.This Preliminary Data Summary provides information about the air transportationindustry and the best practices being employed for aircraft and airfield deicing operations, as wellas for the collection, containment, recovery, and treatment of wastewaters containing deicingagents. This study was conducted to meet the obligations of the EPA under Section 304(m) ofthe Clean Water Act, in accordance with the consent decree in Natural Resources DefenseCouncil and Public Citizen, Inc. v. Browner (D.D.C. 89-2980, as modified February 4, 1997).EPA hopes that this study will serve as an objective source of information that can be used byairports, airlines, state and local regulators, and citizen groups