An emerging concern: Toxic fumes in airplane cabins

Harrison, Virginia; Ross, Sarah J.

doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2015.11.014

Cited by 21 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…[47]; in particular, a persistent hyperreactivity and reactive airway dysfunction was observed in the people exposed to this toxic dust [48]. The case where the air inside the airplane after landing caused dyspnea and chest pain symptoms is in line with the inhalation of polluted air with toxic fumes in the airline cabin (aerotoxic syndrome) [49] [50] [51].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical pneumonia due to air pollution after New Year’s fireworks in 2016 in Stuttgart, Germany: A case report

Scholkmann

2018

Matters

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This case report describes chemical pneumonia experienced by myself (male, 34 years old at the time) caused by inhalation of polluted air after New Year's fireworks in 2016 in Stuttgart, Germany. The toxic exposure resulted in dyspnea, chest pain, and coughing for several days as well as changes in blood parameters indicating inflammatory reactions associated with chemical pneumonia. This case highlights the detrimental effect to human health of acute exposure to air polluted by exploded fireworks.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical pneumonia due to air pollution after New Year’s fireworks in 2016 in Stuttgart, Germany: A case report

Scholkmann

2018

Matters

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“…There have been multiple reports from aircrew and passengers alike complaining of this occurrence. Symptoms associated with contaminated air include fatigue, dizziness, and anxiety [76]. More concerning is the increased rates of cancers, cataracts, and motor neuron diseases that may be associated with exposures, although at doses higher than would be expected in cabin air contamination events [77].…”

Section: Toxins/fumesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiologic Challenges to Pilots of Modern High Performance Aircraft

Summerfield¹,

Raslau²,

Johnson³

et al. 2018

Aircraft Technology

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Fourth generation aircraft, such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagle," and the fifth generation platforms that followed, including the Lockheed Martin F-22 "Raptor," pose unique physiological challenges to arguably the most important "system" on the aircraft, the human. Advances in aeronautical engineering have enabled next-generation aircraft to operate well beyond the natural limits of human endurance. Although the demand for unmanned systems is increasing exponentially, continued use of manned aircraft is still desirable within civilian and military operations for various safety and security reasons. With the continued presence of pilots in cockpits, future aircraft designers will require a basic understanding of the unique physiological factors affecting human performance in this domain. Given knowledge of human limitations, strategies for real-time on board monitoring of the "human system" may be employed to increase the safety of the pilot and aircraft.

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“…However, a specific concern has arisen in recent decades as aircraft crew have developed symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic fumes and organophosphates (Abou-Donia et al, 2013;Harrison and Mackenzie Ross, 2016;Liyasova et al, 2011;Payne, 2015). There have been reports of headaches, loss of balance, numbness and neurobehavioral abnormalities such as emotional instability, depression and cognitive dysfunction, including impaired short term memory, blurred vision and speech, altered coordination (de Ree et al, 2014;Abou-Donia et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The tricresylphosphate chemical fingerprint from wipe samples taken from a cockpit showed a statistically significant correlation (p value 0.039) with used engine oil (Houtzager et al, 2013), indicating that this can be a significant source of exposure. Estimates of how often these events occur varies depending upon whether the information is sourced from regulatory authorities such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), from airlines or from trade unions who represent aircrew (Harrison and Mackenzie Ross, 2016). Reported values for the frequency of smoke/fume events include 0.5% of flights (Murawski and Supplee, 2008), 0.05% (COT, 2007) and 0.02% (Shehadi et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of fresh and used aircraft oil for the identification of toxic substances linked to aerotoxic syndrome

et al. 2016

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Fresh and used aircraft engine lubricants (Mobil Jet Oil II) were analysed using a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer (FTICRMS) and comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography with high resolution time of flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-HRTOFMS). The composition of the fresh oil was established, with special focus to its tricresyl phosphate (TCP) content as this has formed the focus for most investigations into aerotoxic syndrome. The results showed that only four TCP isomers were present at detectable levels in the fresh oil: mmm-TCP, mmp-TCP, ppm-TCP and ppp-TCP. The results indicate that the formulation of Mobile Jet Oil II does not contain the more toxic ortho substituted TCP isomers at concentrations above 0.0005%. The temperatures of jet engines during operation are greater than 200 °C which creates the potential to alter the composition of the original oil and create other toxic compounds. The results show there may be a significant risk from alkylated cresyl phosphates, which were identified in the used oils at concentrations calculated in the range of 0.13-0.69%. w/w. Several xylenyl and ethylphenyl phosphates have been shown to exhibit a similar toxicity to ortho substituted TCP isomers which makes there discovery in used oil significant. These compounds should be included in future aircraft air quality studies and when assessing the risks and causes of aerotoxic syndrome.

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An emerging concern: Toxic fumes in airplane cabins

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Cited by 21 publications

References 25 publications

Chemical pneumonia due to air pollution after New Year’s fireworks in 2016 in Stuttgart, Germany: A case report

Chemical pneumonia due to air pollution after New Year’s fireworks in 2016 in Stuttgart, Germany: A case report

Physiologic Challenges to Pilots of Modern High Performance Aircraft

A comparison of fresh and used aircraft oil for the identification of toxic substances linked to aerotoxic syndrome

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