The scientific adequacy of the present state of knowledge concerning neurotoxins in aircraft cabin air

Our shrinking world

“…Figs 3 and 4). 3 Pressurized aircraft flying at high altitudes have a sealed cabin, and nowadays even trains no longer have windows that can be opened. In our era of Covid this inability to arrange copious fresh air ventilation poses a health risk.…”

Quantitation of ortho‐cresyl phosphate adducts to butyrylcholinesterase in human serum by immunomagnetic‐UHPLC‐MS/MS

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19] Other reports have focused on the effects of human exposure to contaminated cabin air; however, establishing a causal link with ToCP exposure has been difficult without an analytical test with the specificity to confirm exposure. [13,20,21] The neurotoxic effects from ToCP exposure arise from a liveractivated metabolite rather than the parent compound. [4] ToCP is metabolized to 2-(o-cresyl)-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphoran-2-one (cresyl saligenin phosphate or CBDP) by cytochrome P450 (Scheme 1).…”

“…Previous studies have identified the presence of TCP and ToCP in cabin and cockpit air, as well as in the plane's air duct system . Other reports have focused on the effects of human exposure to contaminated cabin air; however, establishing a causal link with ToCP exposure has been difficult without an analytical test with the specificity to confirm exposure …”

Contaminated aircraft cabin air: aspects of causation and acceptable risk

“…Apart from the loss of livelihood this implies for aircrew, aviation has become well nigh an indispensable part of business life (vacationers are also accustomed to flying to their destinations, but such journeys might only be undertaken once or twice a year) and abandoning it implies considerable disruption. 4 If, on the other hand, causation can be established then definite positive actions can be carried out, such as eliminating the cause, for example by pressurizing the cabin by compressing air taken directly from the exterior rather than bleeding it off the engines. 5 It may be, however, that the cost of such elimination is prohibitive.…”

“…Admittedly, no systematic study of passengers has yet been made, but they are exposed to the same atmosphere as pilots and aircrew and, hence, can be expected to suffer-or not, as the case may be-similarly to the latter 3. A variety of unpublished material, especially lectures and reports emanating from aviation medical specialists attached to airlines, promotes the view that the disorders experienced by aircrew are due to problems such as hyperventilation 4. This may change in the future, as more and more new railways are being built on which very high speed trains can run, providing competitive city centre-to-city centre journey times 5.…”