A Green Paper on the Environmental Impact of Glycol and Airport De-icing   December 2010 Eil/wp/GlycoldeicingW-12.2010/01
The Environmental Impact of Glycol and Airport De-icing SUMMARY Pollution at airports is usually perceived to be noise or fume related, but there is another form of pollution even more deadly which is often literally swept under the runway. The de-icer used on aircraft and runways contains Glycol a substance which has devastating effects on local rivers and lakes. The fluid is not designed to adhere to the aircraft, meaning that the vast majority, at least 80% will find itʼs way into the atmosphere or spill on the tarmac and consequently find itʼs way into the airports various drainage systems.
Airport De-icing, Glycol and itʼs Environmental Impact When your flight is delayed because of bad weather, the familiar site of deicing trucks and crane mounted sprays are quite naturally a welcome sight and an indication that you will hopefully soon be on your way. However, long after you have arrived at your destination the effects of that de-icing are still causing a potentially devastating effect on the environment. The fluid is not designed to adhere to the aircraft, meaning that the vast majority, at least 80% will find itʼs way into the atmosphere or spill on the tarmac and consequently find itʼs way into the airports various drainage systems. Approximately 98% of ADF (anti-icing/de-icing fluid) used consists of Propylene Glycol (for anti-icing) or Ethylene Glycol (for de-icing). itʼs diluted with water to a consistency dependant on ambient temperatures, the colder the air the higher the Glycol content. The mixture, most commonly 90% Glycol and 8% water is then sprayed onto the
aircraft at a temperature somewhere between 150 to 180F. It can be applied using handheld nozzles or from automated gantries. As well as the mammalian toxicity of Glycol, it can also cause non-natural bacterial growth as well as deplete dissolved oxygen in lakes and streams as the substance biodegrades. An additional concern is the the presence of Tolyltriazoles, which are used as flame retardants and corrosion inhibitors. and have a very high toxicity. The lethal dose for humans of ethylene glycol is a little over three ounces, according to a report prepared for the EPA, itʼs also been linked to cancer A recent award winning study by Rhode Island student Nate Andrews found that even in summer months he was obtaining readings of three parts per million of Glycol in local ponds and brooks. Within two months of the first snowstorm, those readings escalated to fifteen parts per million, increasing iron and hydrogen concentrations in the water. ʻThe closer to the airport we are, the worse the water quality seems to be and thatʼs downstream as well,” he said. “All the storm drains [at the airport] run into the water system, the catch basins donʼt work because glycol dissolves into the water”. “This is not naturally occurring and it is toxic. So if a little fish eats it and then another fish eats that fish and so on, then a hawk eats the fish, itʼs a chain reaction of events,” said Andrews. His evidence has been passed to the State Department of Environmental Management where it is ʻbeing litigatedʼ. In May 2010 Heathrow Airport was fined for allowing surface water runoff containing Glycol to enter a local lake. As a result oxygen levels plummeted killing hundreds of perch and trench, thousands more fish had to be relocated to a nearby lake. The Environment Agency described the spill as having a ʻdevastating impactʼ on the lake. On top of the fine the airport also had to pay £195k compensation for loss of revenue to the ski company who lease the lake. Other UK airports have also been fined for similar Glycol pollution incidents. Environment protection agencies around the world require airports to monitor storm water runoff, usually controlled by local discharge permits. Itʼs not difficult to believe that these restrictions take a low priority when a sudden bout of extreme weather threatens to ground hundreds or thousands of flights, and priority goes to de-icing planes and clearing runways. Itʼs not just the spraying of ADF to de-ice the planes which has dire environmental consequences, the chemical and grit used to clear runways can also easily find itʼs way into local watercourses or groundwater.
The amount of Glycol used is virtually impossible to estimate, even a small airport like Norwich used 125,648 litres of ADF in 2009. More than 4 million gallons of Glycols were used for aircraft de-icing at 93 US airports during 1989-1991, according to a survey by the FAA. The recent extreme weather conditions closed airports across Europe, Gatwick was closed to incoming and outgoing flights for two days. What is clear is that containment and recycling of the ADF is essential, “without recapture efforts 50-80% of the Glycols may end up in the local waterways” says Mark Williams of the Maryland Aviation Administration. Forty five of the fifty busiest airports in the United States are within three miles of a major waterway. Some airports are already beginning to use ADF recovery systems, Denver Airport, which was specially designed to optimise collection is able to capture 65-70% of the fluid. In Europe recycled Glycols can be used to de-ice aircraft, a practice which is not currently permitted in the US. Designated de-icing areas (De-icing Pads) are becoming more popular, some operated by independent third parties. This option makes it easier to capture the runoff in a single place rather than have multiple de-icing operations taking place at each gate. Munich International Airport has been recycling ADF since 1992. As a result, the airport operator has reduced itʼs de-icing costs by approximately one million Euros per season. Itʼs also significantly reduced the total organic carbon (TOC) released to the wastewater system by approximately 350,000kg per season and reduced itʼs externally purchased ADF by approximately 2m litres per season. So itʼs not just the environment that benefits from a responsible containment of ADF runoff. There are also other alternatives to using Glycol, several de-icers are on the market which are glycol free and new infrared light technology is available as a liquid free option which can deice a plane in around six minutes in a special heat hanger.
Environment Agencies in the UK and around the world are currently working on specific guidelines for the use, capture and disposal of ADF. However, as always the cost will be a defining factor in what airports use and how they deploy and capture the contaminating run-off. The fines and penalties will therefore need to be severe enough to motivate airports to do the right thing.
CONTAINMENT SOLUTION Airports consume vast amounts of ADF (anti-icing/de-icing fluid de-icer / Glycol) in winter keeping runways free from ice and snow and aircraft safe to fly. In an attempt to contain the glycol for re-cycling some operators have been installing inflatable bladder containment systems under the runways. However, instead of using the bladders as an emergency standby device, we have found that the bladders have inappropriately been specified for permanent inflation. Our founder and inventor of the anti-pollution bladder Mr David Cole can readily testify that this use is simply inviting disaster, as just like an air-bag in a car, bladders were never intended or designed for permanent inflation but just for the containment in the case of emergencies. They are fine for containing spills of aviation fuel and/or firewater but not for holding back tons of glycol. He fears that failure if it has not already happened is inevitable at some point, and the consequences could be catastrophic resulting in serious environmental pollution, loss of valuable glycol, a spill of fuel or firewater. The demand for a more permanent containment technology from industry drove use to invent the now award winning FlapstopperTM back in 2008. The FlapstopperTM as its name implies is an automated heavy duty flap valve that retains many of the key features of the bladders – i.e. low costs and retro- fit ability but is features many enhancements the most important being
durability and the ability to remain locked in the closed state making the valve fail safe, something a bladder could never be! Unlike the bladders the FlapstopperTM can also be made to fit any profile of drain or outfall, even square bottomed channels – something again a bladder could never seal. Also the FlapstopperTM can be opened and closed almost an unlimited number of times and unlike the larger bladders does not require re-packing. In summary, by fitting FlapstoppersTM in strategic locations a reliable and cost effective glycol containment and re-cycling system can be created which can also double as a pollution containment system. With our integrated wireless technology the valves can be opened and closed remotely at the push of a button and even made to perform regular self tests, with autoreporting of issues. The telemetry system can also be integrated into the airports fire control system enabling the valves to close during an incident to contain firewater.
USEFUL LINKS The Environment Agencyʼs Technical Information Notes on Safe storage and use of de-icing products http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/ PPTI_De_Icer.pdf
T31 - Recovery of Monopropylene Glycol from Aircraft Antifreeze Fluids - An Environment Agency Guide http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/permitting/ 116358.aspx
Pollution Prevention: Private, Commercial and Military Airfields. The following notes are intended to give broad guidance on the potential for pollution at airfields and its prevention. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/ppmair.pdf
Total Inorganic Chlorine Compounds (as hydrogen chloride) Environment Agency Guide http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/pollution/297.aspx
Ethylene Glycol An EPA Hazard Summary - Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000 http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/ethy-gly.html
MET OFFICE AIRCRAFT DE-ICING FORECAST SERVICE “A proven and unique service offering forecasts of aircraft icing conditions for airports worldwide. The service also offers a tailored guide to holdover times, and proactive alerts to ground staff to enable improved planning of de-icing operations and reduced departure delays. Developed for airlines, airports and de-icing suppliers by leading airlines, the service has now been proved to reduce icing delays by 84% and reduce costs by up to 30%.”
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/airlines/deicing Tel: 0870 900 0100 Fax: 0870 900 5050 Email: aviation@metoffice.gov.uk
FURTHER ESSENTIAL READING The Full DEFRA Guidance on the New Environmental Civil Sanctions : The EA intends to start to use these new powers on 4th January 2011. “http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/enforcement/pdf/defra-wagguidance.pdf”
PPG7 : Refuelling Facilities : Advice on how to protect the environment through the safe delivery, storage and dispensing of fuels. h t t p : / / p u b l i c a t i o n s . e n v i r o n m e n t - a g e n c y. g o v. u k / e p a g e s / eapublications.storefront
PPG18 Managing Fire Water and Major Spillages These guidance notes have been drawn up to assist in the identification of the equipment and techniques available to prevent and mitigate damage to the water environment caused by fires and major spillages. Download full Guidance at “http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/PMHO600BBUD-e-e.pdf”
PPG21 : Pollution - Incident Response : Good practice guidance to produce incident response plans for dealing with accidents, spillages and fires, to help protect the environment. h t t p : / / p u b l i c a t i o n s . e n v i r o n m e n t - a g e n c y. g o v. u k / e p a g e s / eapublications.storefront
PPG22 : Incident Response – Dealing with Spills : Advice on how to deal with spillages to avoid pollution.
h t t p : / / p u b l i c a t i o n s . e n v i r o n m e n t - a g e n c y. g o v. u k / e p a g e s / eapublications.storefront
PPG26 : Safe Storage Drums and Intermediate Bulk Containers : The regulations apply to: tanks (can be permanent or temporary); drums greater than 200 litres capacity; intermediate bulk containers (IBCs); mobile bowsers.
All PPGs are available for download at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/pollution/39083.aspx
ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY DIRECTIVE 2004/35/EC : The Directive establishes a strong framework for environmental liability based on the "polluter pays" principle, with a view to preventing and remedying damage to animals, plants, natural habitats and water resources, and damage affecting the land. Where the polluter is at fault or negligent powers exist to ensure that the costs as well as any fines are allocated, in extreme cases prison sentences can be enforced. Download full Directive www.europa.eu PPG28 Controlled Burn This guidance will help you decide when and how to use a controlled burn as part of a fire fighting strategy to prevent or reduce damage to the environment. You should consider this guidance on a site by site basis when developing an incident response plan for your site. Download full Guidance at “http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/PMHO1005BJIT-e-e.pdf�
Fire Service Manual This Fire and Rescue Manual is the first manual within the Fire Service Operations series dedicated to the protection of the environment. This
publication provides information and guidance designed to support firefighters, Fire Brigade Service managers, and trainers in their work at operational incidents, training events, and during day-to-day activities. Download full manual here “http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/environmentprotectvol2”
If you have any questions about how to make your business safer for your staff and the environment please call 0800 731 9313 “www.environmental-innovations.biz”
IS YOUR SITE RIGHT? Use this Environment Agency 10-point checklist to help you make sure Storing and handling oils, chemicals and other risky materials 1. Are storage containers fit for purpose, regularly inspected and maintained? 2. Are storage areas and containers sited away from watercourses, drains and unsurfaced areas? 3. Do storage containers have secondary containment, such as a bund, to contain any leaks or spills? 4. Do you have procedures and training for safe delivery and handling of materials?
Waste management 5. Is your storage and handling of waste safe and does it comply with the law? 6. Do you know where your waste goes? Are you sure it’s disposed of correctly? 7. Are you reducing and recycling your waste? Do it and save money. Site Drainage 8. Do you have an up to date drainage plan of your site? 9. Is your site drained correctly? • only clean water, such as roof drainage, to surface water drains. • all contaminated water, such as sewage and trade effluent, to foul drain. Dealing with pollution emergencies 10. Do you have a plan, equipment and training to deal with pollution emergencies?
If you answered ‘no’ to any question, or are unsure, use the Environment Agency’s “Pollution Prevention Pays – getting your site right” guidance available from their website
YOUR LOCAL CONTACT E
Envirogen Ireland Ltd 83 Upper Dunmurry Lane Belfast BT17 0QD
Email : info@envirogen-ireland.com www.envirogen-ireland.com © “www.environmental-innovations.biz”
WARNING: Produced by Environmental Innovations Copyright 2010, Information contained in this Green paper is given in good faith and may represent the views and opinions of others, where information is sourced from third parties, copyright remains vested with those parties, reference are given to sources wherever possible from which readers are invited to seek confirmation of material facts, where we have expressed an opinion this should be treated as such rather than hard facts, therefore Environmental Innovations Limited or its staff can accept no responsibility for any losses consequential or otherwise for any errors, omissions, opinions stated or any other material contained within this document or from any of the embedded linked documents within. Images remain Copyright of the stated owners.