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DeltaFlot · 03-12-2002, 07:05 PM

Report condemns air quality on planes

LONDON, England -- The Consumer's Association, based in the United Kingdom, has compiled a report that says airline passengers face potential health problems because of the poor quality of oxygen used in planes.

According to one estimate cited by the report, there are 500 "severe fume events" per year, affecting 40,000 passengers and crew.

The report's authors say little is being done to improve the quality of air on planes generally.

The association looked at a number of reported air pollution incidents involving the BAe 146.

They include flight and cabin crew feeling faint on flights, including one pilot who needed oxygen.

While BAe, formerly British Aerospace, has taken action, Patricia Yates, editor of Holiday Which? -- an association magazine -- said it may not solve the problem completely.

"The failure of the airline industry to respond to repeated warnings around the world about cabin fumes on the BAe 146 aircraft doesn't give travellers much faith that their health is being sufficiently looked after," she said.

"Who knows how many other common complaints about cabin air quality will prove to be well founded?

"Until further research is carried out, and standards are enforced, the uncertainty will continue."

The report cites an incident in November 1999 when two pilots on a BAe 146 aircraft flight in Sweden both had to wear oxygen masks, while cabin staff felt ill on two earlier flights on that aircraft that day.

The captain on another BAe 146 flight -- from Paris to Birmingham in November 2000 -- was seeing double and his co-pilot needed oxygen.

Investigators looking at these, and other, BAe 146 incidents believe that faulty seals in the aircraft's engines allowed oil to leak into the air-conditioning system.

The pressure in an aircraft passenger cabin is supposed to be the equivalent of being at a height of 8,000 feet whatever altitude the plane is flying at.

But according to the magazine, some studies have recorded aircraft flying with cabin altitudes of more than 8,000 feet.

Tests have shown that even in normal, healthy passengers, blood oxygen levels at 8,000 feet can drop alarmingly, leading to fatigue and mild mountain sickness.

03-12-2002, 07:05 PM	#1
DeltaFlot The Patriot Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Laurel, MD Age: 36 Posts: 3,228	Report condemns air quality on planes Report condemns air quality on planes LONDON, England -- The Consumer's Association, based in the United Kingdom, has compiled a report that says airline passengers face potential health problems because of the poor quality of oxygen used in planes. According to one estimate cited by the report, there are 500 "severe fume events" per year, affecting 40,000 passengers and crew. The report's authors say little is being done to improve the quality of air on planes generally. The association looked at a number of reported air pollution incidents involving the BAe 146. They include flight and cabin crew feeling faint on flights, including one pilot who needed oxygen. While BAe, formerly British Aerospace, has taken action, Patricia Yates, editor of Holiday Which? -- an association magazine -- said it may not solve the problem completely. "The failure of the airline industry to respond to repeated warnings around the world about cabin fumes on the BAe 146 aircraft doesn't give travellers much faith that their health is being sufficiently looked after," she said. "Who knows how many other common complaints about cabin air quality will prove to be well founded? "Until further research is carried out, and standards are enforced, the uncertainty will continue." The report cites an incident in November 1999 when two pilots on a BAe 146 aircraft flight in Sweden both had to wear oxygen masks, while cabin staff felt ill on two earlier flights on that aircraft that day. The captain on another BAe 146 flight -- from Paris to Birmingham in November 2000 -- was seeing double and his co-pilot needed oxygen. Investigators looking at these, and other, BAe 146 incidents believe that faulty seals in the aircraft's engines allowed oil to leak into the air-conditioning system. The pressure in an aircraft passenger cabin is supposed to be the equivalent of being at a height of 8,000 feet whatever altitude the plane is flying at. But according to the magazine, some studies have recorded aircraft flying with cabin altitudes of more than 8,000 feet. Tests have shown that even in normal, healthy passengers, blood oxygen levels at 8,000 feet can drop alarmingly, leading to fatigue and mild mountain sickness. __________________ Febuary 15, 1898 December 7, 1941 June 8, 1967 September 11, 2001 Never Forget, Never Forgive If you kick the Tiger in the arse, you better be able to deal with the Tiger's teeth.