Alarm im Flugzeug: Wie giftige Kabinenluft krank macht (Stern, 27.7.17)
'Toxic Fume Events' on Planes Worry Airline Workers (Fortune, 9.8.17)
BA accused of downplaying health risks of 'fume events' on flights (The Guardian, 3.11.16)
'Toxic Fume Events' on Planes Worry Airline Workers (Fortune, 9.8.17)
BA accused of downplaying health risks of 'fume events' on flights (The Guardian, 3.11.16)
“Fume Events” are a rising topic in many newspapers.
What is meant by this terminus?
Wikipedia says: “A fume event occurs when bleed air used for cabin pressurization and air conditioning in a pressurized aircraft is contaminated by fluids such as engine oil, hydraulic fluid, anti-icing fluid, and other potentially hazardous chemicals.”
What is meant by this terminus?
Wikipedia says: “A fume event occurs when bleed air used for cabin pressurization and air conditioning in a pressurized aircraft is contaminated by fluids such as engine oil, hydraulic fluid, anti-icing fluid, and other potentially hazardous chemicals.”
What is bleed air and how can it be contaminated?
The reason is the technology we use to supply air to an aircraft cabin. The following (German) video shows what happens. (Please look from 0:55 to 5:00.) |
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Contaminated air can cause the so called Aerotoxic syndrome, again Wikipedia:
“The potential long term health effects of fume events are disputed. Most aviation and medical professionals do not believe any long-term health effects exist from fume events, and no studies have shown any danger to the public. However, some consumer and aircrew advocacy groups claim that it can cause a medically unrecognized condition they call aerotoxic syndrome, with symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and possibly premature death.”
The wikipedia quote shows a main problem:
Airlines and aircraft manufactures deny that there is a big problem, all studies up to now say they are right. Pilots and passengers however make experiences showing massive negative health effects. Many journalists doing research in this surroundings complain that airlines and manufactures like Airbus and Boeing don’t show any willingness to cooperate. The reason is obvious: A scientific proof of fume events, their causes and consequences would lead to enormous costs!
A new half an hour German TV-report (ZDF zoom) on this topic can be seen here:
The author, Axel Kreutz, summarizes:
- Contaminated cabin air can cause heavy short-term health damage to some people
- More research concerning long-term damages is urgently necessary
- Debates become more passionate and warning experts get louder
- Aviation industry gets under pressure more and more to solve the problem