Top 6 Environmental Hazards in MRO

MRO facilities contribute to emissions that can harm air quality, including oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbons, sulphur dioxide and fine particulate matter. These emissions are produced not only by aircraft engines but also auxiliary power units, apron vehicles, deicing procedures and apron spillages of fuel and chemicals.

Increased fuel consumption can result from the lack of proper aircraft maintenance. If maintenance is timed incorrectly, this may lead to a significant rise in the consumption of fuel and other consumables.

Hazardous waste and discharge can be generated from various MRO activities including corrosion control, refueling, cleaning, ground handling, catering, stripping and repainting, use of hydraulic fluids and cutting fluids

Cleaning operations can produce hazardous waste due to the acidic nature of the products. The most hazardous chemicals include aromatic hydrocarbons, methyl ethyl ketone and chlorinated solvents.

Hydraulic fluids generally consist of phosphate ester-based fluids and spills and can lead to significant environmental and health hazards. All residues need to be eliminated as hazardous waste.

The coating and stripping of an aircraft with solvents and specialty chemicals can release a wide range of hazardous pollutants. Waste includes leftover paint in containers, no longer usable paint, overspray and rags.