Finally, the University of Washington is willing to begin an epidemiological study. According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, O'Hare Airport is probably THE worst hazardous and toxic emissions-polluter in Illinois. The air that we breathe from O'Hare most likely produces more cancer risks than a toxic waste dump. O'Hare's activities have significant impact on global warming as well. Regarding O'Hare De-icing fluids, the ground runoffs flow untreated into surrounding creeks and into our water supply.
Contamination is through ingestion, inhaling, and absorption through the skin.
It is deadly and causes kidney, liver and central nervous system damage. I believe that if you factor in all of O'Hare's pollution, including noise, O'Hare Airport is one of the top 20 polluters in the world. Yet, O'Hare is NOT subjected to the same scrutiny and does not have to follow the same environmental rules that other industries must. As a result, businesses and private citizens must compensate by being regulated more and paying more. One DC-10 takeoff's pollution is equal to 21,530 cars.