21 April 2010: Five years ago today BALPA held their Contaminated Air Conference in London where General Secretary Jim McAuslan concluded that “there is a workplace problem resulting in chronic and acute illness amongst flight crew” which required urgent remedial action. He also stated that research into the solutions “must be free of bias from vested interests that are so skilful at obscuring the issue.” After the conference they issued a set of 12 points of action that needed to be taken.

BALPA General Secretary Jim McAuslan

So what has been achieved in the past five years and have BALPA followed up on their commitment to the issue?

Well, painfully slow research is under way by Cranfield University, but it can hardly be described as free of bias, as the university has “close commercial partnerships” with many leading aerospace companies. Of the 12 points of action, only number two has been addressed, in the form of the bleed-free Boeing 787 Dreamliner. That's great, but doesn't help anyone not flying on a 787. There has been no change in the other 11 items on the list, and we are no closer to protecting aircrew and the travelling public from contaminated cabin air. The solutions are relatively simple and could be implemented today. Little comfort to the aircrew and passengers whose health has already been unnecessarily ruined.

As for BALPA following up on their commitment, make your own mind up. Their current position is: "There is no evidence at present for a link to long term health effects but research concerning fume events continues." There is nothing of significance about contaminated cabin air on their website.

The Aerotoxic Association continues to try and engage with BALPA as well as the aviation authorities as we have a huge amount of information and personal experience which could help bring a resolution to this problem. There still is a problem and the industry ... and BALPA continue to be in denial.

 Letter from AA to BALPA inviting a meeting to discuss cabin air quality, 15 March 2010  (This letter has not yet been answered)

Captain John Hoyte at BALPA, 13 May 2010. There is a workplace problem.

Formal complaint from AA to BALPA - not informing members about contaminated cabin air,  13 May 2010

Reply BALPA to AA about fromal complaint: not informing members about contaminated cabin air,  15 June 2010

BALPA - Then (2005) ... and Now