-- Not hearing it? Still breathing it… USC School of Medicine study: “High levels of potentially harmful exhaust particles from jets using Los Angeles International Airport have been detected in a broad swath of densely populated communities up to 10 miles east of the runways…The research, believed to be the most comprehensive of its type, found that takeoffs and landings at LAX are a major source of ultrafine particles. They are being emitted over a larger area than previously thought, the study states, and in amounts about equal in magnitude to those from a large portion of the county's freeways…The findings raise health concerns, researchers say, because the minute particles, which result from the condensation of hot exhaust vapor from cars, diesel trucks and aircraft, have the potential to aggravate heart and lung conditions, including asthma and the development of blocked arteries. Less than one-thousandth the width of a human hair, they can go deep in the lungs, make their way into the bloodstream and spread to the brain, heart and other critical organs…The extent of the pollution is so large that it challenges previous assumptions that roadways are the most significant pollution threat to urban residents. In some communities, the study states, many people may be exposed to a greater amount of particle pollution living downwind from LAX than from residing near highways…"We rightly spend a lot of time worrying about schools and homes that are close to freeways, but here's a huge source of ultrafine particles that we've apparently missed," said Scott Fruin, a professor of preventive medicine at USC's Keck School of Medicine who led the research…"We kept looking for the end of the impact and never really found it," Fruin said. "We never reached a point far enough downwind that we didn't measure" particles from LAX.” http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-0529-lax-pollution-20140529-story.html MIT study: “A new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has estimated that long term exposure to aviation related ozone and fine particulates (specifically PM2.5, the smallest particles) contributes to 16,000 premature deaths a year worldwide, costing an estimated $21 billion a year. The study considered the health impact of near airport, regional and global emissions, estimating that ‘cruise altitude’ emissions were the most significant contributor to health impacts world-wide. However, emissions from the landing and take off aircraft cycle, were found to have significant pollution related health impacts for communities living closest to airports, contributing to 49% of the premature deaths associated with aircraft emissions…This study highlights that aviation related emissions of particulates and ozone contribute to poor health, and not just for those people living close to the airport. This should be considered in the health impact assessment and economic assessment of any expansion proposal.” http://www.aef.org.uk/2015/08/11/pollution-from-aviation-emissions-has-significant-health-impacts/