If sheep farmers using organophosphorous pesticides are given dire warnings about the effects coming into contact with the chemical, why are passengers and aircrew kept in the dark about inhaling organophosphates in aircraft cabins?

These are the precautions that were issued to farmers using "Propetamphos" pesticide sheep dip. Organophosphates (OPs) are cholinesterase inhibitors which means they attack the nervous system and can cause serious neurological problems. Precautions are therefore clearly vital. Many farmers have suffered and continue to suffer terrible ill health from the use of these chemicals. Thankfully OPs are no longer used for sheep dip.

All aero engine oils contain 3 to 5 % organophosphates in the form of tricresyl phosphate (TCP). Many people have been made chronically ill by inhaling cabin air contaminated by OPs. The aviation authorities admit that OPs regularly enter the aircraft cabin, they say they can't determine the concentrations, they tell us they are researching the issue, yet in the meantime, anyone entering an aircraft gets no "precautions" sheet or any warnings about the potential danger. The result is: aviation continues business as usual, and like the farmers, passengers and aircrew continue to lose their health and livelihoods.

Precautions sheet issued by Crown Veterinary Pharmaceuticals Ltd for Propetamphos pesticide, manufactured by Cranstonhill Manufacturing Ltd. (Possibly late 1980s).