The use of fossil fuels in aircraft
over the last few decades has
driven several studies on health effects due to occupational exposure.
Relatively recently, alternative fuel types have emerged, but their
implications on the health of exposed workers have not attracted proportional
attention. In our paper, we review both academic and gray literature
about the health risks related to exposure to jet and alternative
fuels. The literature suggests that, although the health effects on
workers exposed to conventional fuels are concerning, there is no
universally accepted dose–response relationship. The limited
current research with animals on alternative fuels indicates that
these fuels have not resulted in a reduction of health risks. Overall,
it seems that, while aviation fuels are tested for efficiency and
lower emissions, studies on health impacts in an occupational context
have not been a priority. As occupational exposure to aviation fuels
might increase due to the growth of the aviation industry, it is essential
to conduct further research on the effects of exposures to both conventional
and alternative aviation fuels and ensure that the latter do not pose
the same risks or even greater ones than those of conventional fuels.