Local air quality
Local air quality
Air Quality Survey Around Oslo Airport
Avinor Oslo Airport has engaged the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) to conduct an updated survey of the air quality at and around Oslo Airport. In addition, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and Mycoteam have assisted in surveying potential other impacts from the airport on the local environment.
The survey focused on four areas:
- What is the air quality like around Oslo Airport? (NILU)
- Is the smell of jet fuel that occurs at times harmful to health? (NILU)
- Are the blackening of houses around Oslo Airport caused by emissions from aircraft? (Mycoteam)
- Does air traffic affect the freshwater bodies around Oslo Airport? (NIVA)
Summary of the results is described below:
The calculation of air pollution is done in a model area of 9 x 12 km around the airport. The local environment of the airport is affected by emissions from aircraft in the air, aircraft on the ground, ground activities, road traffic, and residential heating. In residential areas closest to Oslo Airport, the impact on air quality from the airport's operations is greatest for the component NO2, while pollution of particles (PM10 and PM2,5) is dominated by contributions from sources outside the model area.
Projections where increased traffic volume and changed traffic pattern are considered show a reduction in concentration until 2030 for NO2 and PM2,5, and a slight increase in concentration for PM10 which is linked to an increase in road traffic and continued use of studded tires.
The calculation of air pollution in a model area does not show an exceedance of limit values and national targets for air quality for the components NO2, PM10, and PM2,5.
The calculated level in the most affected areas, which are located inside the airport, is at the same level as calculation results for central areas in medium-sized city areas in Norway.
So-called fuel dumping from long-haul aircraft that need to return to the same airport in an emergency situation after departure is extremely rare at Oslo Airport and is therefore not a source of jet fuel odor. However, the smell of jet fuel can arise during taxiing of aircraft and during the handling of jet fuel and other ground activities at the airport. Concentration levels of jet fuel above the odor threshold can occur for short periods and with limited spread.
Sporadic jet fuel odor around the airport is not harmful to health. The measured levels are far below the health hazard limits.
The discoloration on tested house facades in various areas around the airport is due to mold and not soot from aircraft exhaust. Soot particles have been detected in all samples, but generally no abnormal amounts. However, discoloration due to mold is an increasing problem on surface-treated exterior wood. This is due to stricter restrictions on the use of fungicides in paint.
Discoloration on houses is caused by mold.
It is difficult to find concrete evidence that aircraft exhaust in itself contributes to emissions that can lead to deposition in water and watercourses, as soot particles are highly hydrophobic, and no other components in aircraft exhaust are surfactants either. However, it is theoretically possible that glycol used for aircraft de-icing may have an effect and impact on freshwater ecology. Glycol is a strong surfactant and can potentially contribute to changing the surface tension of water. This has not yet been verified with field studies during the summer months.
The possible impact of air traffic on freshwaters is uncertain.
For more information, read a summary of the report here: Air Quality Calculations - Oslo Airport - Short Version.pdf