# San Diego Airport Still Uses Lead Fuel

> San Diego’s airport continues using leaded aviation fuel despite clean air efforts.
- Title: San Diego Airport Still Uses Lead Fuel · California Post
- Summary: San Diego’s airport continues using leaded aviation fuel despite clean air efforts. San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport still uses leaded fuel…
- Keywords: san diego, montgomery-gibbs executive airport, leaded aviation fuel, lead exposure, children health, epa, gavin newsom, faa eagle initiative, news, entertainment, San, Diego
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/10/18/us-news/san-diegos-montgomery-gibbs-executive-airport-still-using-leaded-fuel
- Published: 2026-10-18T19:22:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: san diego, montgomery-gibbs executive airport, leaded aviation fuel, lead exposure, children health, epa, gavin newsom, faa eagle initiative, news, entertainment
## San Diego Airport Uses Lead Fuel
San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport sold more leaded fuel last year than in any year in over a decade.
## Lead Fuel Sales Rise
Pilots bought two dozen gallons of unleaded fuel while over a million gallons of leaded fuel passed through the same pumps.
## Flight Schools Use Lead Fuel
Flight schools, including Coast Air, account for a large portion of leaded fuel sold at the airport.
## Training Aircraft Emit Lead
Aircraft release half their exhaust during takeoff and landing, with trainees doing touch-and-go drills repeatedly.
## Lead Harm Children
Lead exposure stunts growth, impairs hearing and speech, shortens attention spans, and lowers IQ in children.
## EPA Warns of Health Risks
The EPA concluded in 2023 that emissions from leaded gasoline endanger public health.
## State Law Bans Lead Fuel
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a state law banning leaded aviation fuel, effective in 2031.
## Petition Demands Action
Over 500 people signed a petition asking for limits on flights and monthly public reporting.
## Key takeaway

San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport still uses leaded fuel, risking children’s health with toxic emissions.