Lincoln Journal
Thursday, April 11, 2002

Hanscom airplanes a health risk?

To the editor,

It is time for the aviation community to wake up to the fact that their interest has a devastating effect on impacted communities.

On the evening of Sunday March 24, I returned home from a movie at around 11 p.m. to find the stench of jet fuel covering my yard. I had heard of similar instances from other neighbors. I had heard rumors that Hanscom planes dump fuel before landing so as to lighten their loads.

I had never previously experienced this myself, and I must admit I was skeptical. Knowing that my husband may be skeptical too, I woke him and brought him outside. There is no doubt that what we smelled was jet fuel. What my neighbors have experienced countless times before this was dumped jet fuel. We are presently having our water checked for contamination.

I have a 3-year-old son and wonder if those who fly planes would want their children exposed to such toxic waste? We tolerate so much filth from Hanscom Field. We tolerate noise, traffic, and being woken up at all times of the night.

We should not tolerate any more.

Nanine and Donald McCarthy
34 Brooks Road, Lincoln

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