For years, crew members have reported symptoms related to airplane cabin air. A legal expertise raises concerns, which affect both staff and passengers.
The National Health Safety Agency (ANSES) published, on October 25, a landmark opinion concerning the contamination of aircraft air, in what is an old debate. This one, consulted by our colleagues from Parisianfollows complaints from pilots and other crew members, who mention the presence of various pollutants causing worrying symptoms, such as blurred vision, headaches or coughing.
A legal expertise has indeed suggested a risk to the health of aeronautical personnel, with symptoms described by ANSES as “aerotoxic syndrome”. Multiple sources of pollutants have been identified.
Many pollutants rot the air breathed in planes
Aerotoxic syndrome is characterized by neurological and respiratory symptoms, which are commonly reported by cabin crew, 30,000 people in France (hostesses, stewards and pilots). It is linked to multiple sources of pollutants from certain materials, ventilation, aircraft operation and in-flight and ground operations, according to ANSES.
The agency recognized that the air circulating in the cabin is partly taken from the engines, which can contribute to the presence of pollutants. On certain models, it is no coincidence that you may smell “fuel” at times. However, the origin of pollutants and their concentrations remain uncertain. Quality data on the subject is sorely lacking.
Flight personnel are in any case exposed to these sources of pollutants. Examples include fine particles, flame retardants or organophosphate substances, due to cleaning products, air pollution in airports or aircraft de-icing operations.
Ongoing studies to learn more about the risks and consequences incurred by staff and passengers
Although there is no medical consensus on aerotoxic syndrome today, there is growing concern about increasing cases of skin cancer and leukemia among flight personnel. This incidence is attributed to cosmic and solar radiation, according to the scientific director of health and work at ANSES, Henri Bastos.
The Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) is currently conducting a study on mortality linked to exposure to cosmic radiation among aircrew. ANSES, for its part, considers that additional research is necessary to assess the effects on the long-term health of on-board professionals.
Airlines are called upon to participate in assessing the risks for their employees. Studies are also underway into the impact of odor or smoke releases from certain flights. Finally, regular passengers, who are also exposed to the same fears, do not benefit from the same medical monitoring as flight staff. If the symptoms we mentioned are yours, and you have recently taken a plane, do not waste time in consulting a professional.
Source : The Parisian
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