Court case [Link between Parkinson's and pesticide?]

[Hvr]

Hopefully all of the facts will come out in court.

The last time I remember being on an aircraft which was sprayed was in 1993.

LONG-haul flight attendants who have been forced to spray insecticide through aircraft cabins every time they landed in Australia fear the chemicals may have given them Parkinson's disease.

And experts have warned any frequent international flyer exposed to repeated doses of insecticide within an enclosed aircraft cabin could also face the same risk.

Former Qantas steward Brett Vollus has been diagnosed with the disease, which can leave victims immobile, speechless or with tremors, and is preparing to launch a legal action against the Commonwealth government, which enforces the need for spraying to prevent disease.

 

[UP4014]

I can't remember seeing spraying for a while, maybe 10 years, certainly in 2000 but I was flying when plenty of flights for the Olympics. Perhaps it depends these days on where the flight originates from.

Matt

 

[Mal]

I don't see the link. All I see is spurious claims from lawyers and a connection of individuals who worked in similar industries.

 

[dodgeyhack]

Some airlines still have to spray I think.
I have vague recollections of being sprayed last year on BA and JAL.

 

[medhead]

Good luck proving the cause.

 

[harvyk]

I can't remember seeing spraying for a while, maybe 10 years, certainly in 2000 but I was flying when plenty of flights for the Olympics. Perhaps it depends these days on where the flight originates from.

Matt

It depends (and still does) on if the plane has been treated with insecticide or not. There is a once every so often treatment which airlines which fly to AU on a frequent basis can use to treat their planes so they don't need to use the sprays on landing. So obviously airlines like QF and VA have their entire international fleet treated, airlines which have planes that don't typically fly to AU on the other hand may have some in their fleet which are not treated, and as such would still need to use the spray if the untreated plane was used on an AU run.

 

[NM]

Insecticide spraying certainly remains a common practice to some destinations. For may countries, Australia includes, airlines must either use a persistent insecticide sprayed on a regular basis during aircraft maintenance, or they must spray the cabin before arrival. Most airlines choose the former option as its easier. My most recent experience of cabin spraying was an MH flight to MLE in October this year.

 

[samh004]

What would happen if a plane arrived in Australia and they discovered they didn't have any/enough? Do they keep everyone on board and refuel and turn them around?

As for the link to Parkinsons, interesting stuff indeed. I had many flights sprayed when I was younger... so I guess that means I'll get it later in life... per what this case alleges.

 

[drron]

Even if the fellow wins his case it will still not be proof of a link.The law is not based on science.

 

[JessicaTam]

My EK flight from MEL to KUL was sprayed before departure a few weeks ago. I was surprised as it had been years since I had seen it done.

 

[ozmille]

was definitely sprayed a couple of years ago but not as much in the last 2 or so, unless I was in a bubbly induced coma whilst they came around

 

[harvyk]

What would happen if a plane arrived in Australia and they discovered they didn't have any/enough? Do they keep everyone on board and refuel and turn them around?

As for the link to Parkinsons, interesting stuff indeed. I had many flights sprayed when I was younger... so I guess that means I'll get it later in life... per what this case alleges.

Not 100% sure, however there was recently an article posted somewhere about a Dash 8 delivery flight, the flight crew had to show a can of the insecticide they used through the window prior to AQIS allowing them to open the doors. If an airline used an untreated plane without carrying any / enough insecticide I could imagine that AQIS would refuse to allow them to open the doors. The alternative (purely my speculation) might be that the plane is transported to a hanger (so a controlled environment) where AQIS would supply them through a single open door (with someone watching to ensure nothing came out during that time), enough cans of the insecticide to treat the plane prior to allow pax disembarkation. I would also imagine there would be some sort of massive fine involved for the airline.

 

[russellferrier]

Our Emirates plane was sprayed on Wednesday's flight Abidjan (ABJ) to Dubai(DXB) during the stopover/refueling at Accra(ACC).
Two FA's carried at least 4 cans of insecticide each up and down the aisle creating quite an effective fog.

 

[RB]

In Nov 2013 on SQ our flight from DEL-SIN was sprayed.