I recently learn from Sue, a resident of Los Angeles, who is living in the shadow of the Van Nuys Airport (VNY) that the air quality of the area and mental health of the residents have been affected dramatically. She shared with me the growing concerns regarding the environmental and health impacts of the airport’s operations, particularly due to the increasing number of private and charter jets.

According to Sue over the past few years, the VNY has essentially transformed into a commercial airport due to the influx of private and charter jets. This brings with it an incessant noise pollution problem, as there’s no curfew and flights come in all day and night. And, they are under the most congested airspace in the world, with five airports in the LA area, all converging over them.

Although the airport has been around since the 1920s the changes, in recent years are drastic. Sue lives in that area since mid 80’s. They are now literally feet away from dozens of jets that emit toxic fumes into their homes, schools, and lungs. It was not like this up until a few years ago.

Unfortunately, they can’t get any of the authorities to do anything about it. VNY has become the private playground for the rich and famous, with absolutely no regard for the surrounding community. See Image.

Sue has noticed that there is a severe decline in their quality of life and serious environmental and health impacts. It’s like they’re paying the price for their convenience. As Sue say, “We die so the 1% can fly”.

Sue told me that there is some coverage from CBS News, KABC, LA Times, and the UK Daily Mail on the subject but it is not enough. See Links:

• CBS NEWS https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/la-city-council-to-analyze-increase-in-charter-flights-at-van-nuys-airport/
• KABC https://abc7.com/van-nuys-airport-la-airports-pollution-noise-complaints/12906752/
• LA TIMES https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/kylie-jenner-s-private-jet-is-bad-for-the-climate-it-s-far-worse-for-the-residents-of-van-nuys/ar-AA13bgCN  
• UK Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11341011/Curfews-celeb-jets-Stars-accused-blanketing-LA-neighborhood-fumes-private-jet-use.html

In my question, what would you like to see happen moving forward, Sue told me that they need studies – EPA studies, Air Quality studies, and Environmental Impact Studies in the area. They need to understand how this was allowed to happen and how they can mitigate its effects. They need more press coverage and a larger coalition. But most importantly, they need the authorities to take action.

Sue’s story is a striking example of the environmental and health impacts of unrestricted growth at airports. I am sure the unregulated ultrafine particulate coming from the exhaust of the turbines have the biggest direct impact on the residence in the area, but the only air quality data I could find, point that fine particulate aka PM2.5 concentration in the general area were considered moderated most of the days in 2022. It was very difficult for me to identify from EPA records the AQ station near the airport.