Toxic cabin air breathed by 3.5 billion passengers each year

According to new research in a World Health Organisation, the toxic air breathed by passengers, cabin crew and pilots can lead to chronic fatigue, neurological problems and even cancer.

The study, conducted by the University of Stirling in conjunction with the University of Ulster, says there is a clear link between exposure to air contaminated by oil and other aircraft fluids, and a plethora of health issues.

The aerotoxic syndrome, the name given to the health effects of exposure to bleed air, used to pressurise aircraft cabins, that has been contaminated with chemicals such as engine oil – found a clear link between both short- and long-term symptoms and illnesses and toxic fume events.

According to reports more than 3.5 billion passengers and 500,000 pilots and cabin crew were exposed to low levels of engine oils in the air in 2015.

The study, which looked at over 200 aircrew, including pilots and cabin crew who were exposed to aircrafts’ contaminated air, suffered from acute and chronic symptoms, ranging from headaches and dizziness to breathing and vision problems.

At a larger perspective, it is not only about the health but also about flight safety. If aircrew are incapacitated in flight, everyone is at risk.