Cabin fever: plane toxic fume fears

[JohnK]

That smell wasn't because the person next you did not shower during transit.

Cabin fever

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

The air circulation system in passenger jets may be putting all on board at risk from toxic fumes. Pilots have been paralysed and crew and passengers seriously affected, yet the airlines remain in denial. By Ross Coulthart.

Next time you fly, sniff the air you are breathing in the cabin. If you smell a cheesy, musty, smelly socks odour then the strong advice of University of NSW toxicologist Professor Chris Winder is that you get off that plane immediately - although that might be difficult if you're at 20,000 feet.

Staying on board may expose you to dangerous fumes which, in the short-term, can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, loss of concentration, blurred vision, and even temporary paralysis (God forbid you are the pilot). Long-term effects reported include chronic fatigue, chemical sensitivity and even suspected brain damage among flight crew and passengers.

So why aren't the travelling public being warned?

More...

 

[Evan]

Seem that BAE146 gets a good mention and not a lot else.
Regardless we know it can happen on others.

Good news is that new planes like 787 are not using bleed air systems now

E

 

[oz_mark]

I can certainly remember flying several BaE 146 flights that clearly had vapours of something wafting through the cabin. Certainly not something I have noticed on other aircraft though.

 

[straitman]

I can certainly remember flying several BaE 146 flights that clearly had vapours of something wafting through the cabin. Certainly not something I have noticed on other aircraft though.

Certainly a known issue in the pointy end world.