Sea-Tac Airplanes Drop Toxins on 300,000 Residents, Suit Says

Sea-Tac Airport flights contaminate nearby neighborhoods with dangerous pollutants like carbon monoxide, lead, and particulate matter, residents alleged in a proposed class action lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washington state court.

Aircraft emit dangerous pollutants as they fly and contaminate surrounding areas—whose residents suffer from significantly increased rates of cancer, heart disease, and chronic lower respiratory disease, the suit claims.

More than 300,000 people, including more than 60,000 children live within the contamination zone, and are majority Black, Hispanic, Asian, or belong to other vulnerable populations. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport serves the northwest Washington region.

In January, conservation groups sued the ...