Aerotoxic Association

This guidance document by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has information about the toxicology of organophosphates (OPs), acute and chronic symptoms, health monitoring, risk assessments, notification requirements following exposures and legal requirements of any organisations that may use these chemicals. We believe that no airlines are following any of the recommendations or adhering to any of the legal requirements. The HSE no longer publish this document and have been referring people to our site to obtain it.

MS17, 1980                    MS17, 1998 draft                    MS17, 2000

Despite the airlines and regulators insisting that filtering aircraft cabin air is still not technically possible, solutions do already exist and a limited number are already in operation on airliners.

Filter manufacturers Pall Corporation presented a paper at the 40th International Conference on Environmental Systems detailing various filtration solutions.

Pall Corporation - Cabin air filtration systems

In his quest to develop a test to prove exposure to contaminated cabin air, Prof Clement Furlong and his lab have published this paper detailing progress on the test.

Development of diagnostics in the search for an explanation of Aerotoxic Syndrome

Conference Poster: Biomarkers of organophosphorus (OP) exposures in humans

Conference Poster: PDF version

“Industry, government, and labor representatives have all acknowledged that air supply systems on commercial aircraft sometimes get contaminated with pyrolyzed engine oil or hydraulic fluid, but efforts to define “sometimes” have been lacking.”

Oil in the Cabin and Flight Deck Supply Air on U.S. Commercial Aircraft

On 8th January 2010 the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) closed its survey on “Cabin Air Quality onboard Large Aeroplanes”. Here are some of the submissions:

From the DEFRA website. Review of the Organophosphates Information Network (OPIN) register of suspected organophosphate – related health complaints. The register consists of farmers exposed to OPs, but the information in the documents may be of interest to aircrew and passengers exposed to OPs in contaminated cabin air.

 Aerotoxic syndrome: a descriptive epidemiological survey of aircrew exposed to in-cabin airborne contaminants

This report from the Organophosphate Information Network (OPIN) discusses the familiar cycle of warnings, research, and conclusions calling for more research, which never leads to a resolution - going back as far as 1951. There are also some tragic accounts of victims affected by organophosphates. Report published in 2004

OP report                    OP report from OPIN website

To provide an alternative viewpoint, here is an Aviation medical expert's view of Aerotoxic Syndrome, from September 2008. Please note: The Aerotoxic Association does not agree with Professor Bagshaw's views.

 The “Aerotoxic Syndrome” report

In an All Operator Message, BAE Systems admits that oil gets into the cabins of their BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ aircraft:

Our colleagues at Toxic Free Airlines are undertaking a survey of health amongst aircrew and will be publishing updated results from time to time. Any pilots or cabin crew who have not completed the questionnaire are invited to take part by filling in the online form on the TFA website. 

Survey results March 2010 (910 participants)

Survey results June 2009 (640 participants)

Identification and Characterization of Biomarkers of Organophosphorus (OP) Exposures in Humans

By Nickolas Vakas, University of Wollongong. “This thesis examines the controversy surrounding aircraft cabin air contaminated with oil. The focus is on the British Aerospace BAe 146 aircraft in Australia and the Australian Senate Inquiry which examined this aircraft.” Report conclusion: “The BAe 146, the most dangerous fume prone aircraft, should be grounded internationally”.

Interests and the shaping of an occupational health and safety controversy: the BAe 146 case

Website

Prepared for DEFRA in the UK. This report is very relevant as it discusses organophosphates, which are present in jet engine oils. The symptoms suffered by aircrew, passengers and the sheep farming community are very similar. Of note is that DEFRA acknowledge there “may be” a link between exposure to the chemicals and neurological problems.

Neuropsychological and Psychiatric Functioning in Sheep Farmers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides

Following numerous reports by its members that they were experiencing exposures to contaminated air supplies while at work, BALPA carried out a survey of its pilots.

A survey of health symptoms in BALPA Boeing 757 pilots

“Researchers have found, in studies carried out over several years, that many passengers and crew, following their recent flights in commercial jet aeroplanes, have become unwell, with a range of symptoms in common. This condition, which has not yet been officially recognised, is called Aerotoxic Syndrome (AS).”

Preliminary report on Aerotoxic Syndrome                   Report summary

The Toxicity of Commercial Jet Oils

Between March and May 2006 a group of 27 pilots in the UK took part in a study where blood samples were analysed for toxins and for damage to various bodily systems.

Pilot Blood Test results                    Pilot Blood Test results

Hazardous Chemicals on Jet Aircraft: Case Study - Jet Engine Oils and Aerotoxic Syndrome

Air Monitoring Studies for Aircraft Cabin Contamination

Proceedings of the BALPA Air Safety and Cabin Air Quality International Aero Industry Conference held at Imperial College, London, 20-21 April 2005.

BALPA - Contaminated Air Protection conference proceedings

Aerotoxic Association article: BALPA - Then (2005) ... and Now

Cabin Air Quality Troubleshooting Advice and Relevant Modifications.
Leaflet and Aerotoxic Association comment ...

A case series of 27 pilots seen for clinical purposes. Published in the Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine.

Cognitive function following exposure to contaminated air on commercial aircraft

This is the most common oil used in jet engines.
Also available in other languages from the ExxonMobil website

ExxonMobil Mobil Jet Oil II MSDS

Aero engine oils such as Mobil Jet II contain 2-5% TCP

Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP) MSDS

Review Of Literature Relating To The Effects On Humans Of Exposure To Organophosphates

Crew accounts of the symptoms suffered after fume events.

Extracts from actual AAIB reports

Ill health Following Exposure to Contaminated Aircraft Air: Psychosomatic Disorder or Neurological Injury?

In a presentation to the UK Parliament in 2007, Malcolm Hooper stated his concern that the responsible authorities are using “obfuscation, deception and even downright lying” by trying to sustain the theory that Aerotoxic Syndrome is psychological in nature rather than neurological as a result of exposures to toxic aircraft cabin air.

  Notes to support Parliamentary Presentation June 18th 2007

Hansard - UK
Hansard is the daily updated record of questions and debates in the UK Houses of Parliament. Collated by AOPIS.

Hansard - Australia
Questions and answers about cabin air quality in the Australian Senate and House of Representatives.


Government reports
UK House of Lords, UK Committee on Toxicity, FAA, CAA, NAS, UK Dept of Health, Australian Government including Senate report "Air Safety and Cabin Air Quality in the BAe 146 Aircraft"


Government recommendations
Including:
Australian Senate Enquiry into Air Safety
USA National Academy of Sciences to the FAA
UK House of Lords