Aerotoxic Syndrome research progress
 Hot off the press is a report by Prof Clement Furlong’s laboratory, published on 12 June. The lab hopes to soon have a test available which will prove poisoning by tricresyl phosphate (TCP) in cabin air, and in particular low-dose exposure to TCP which gives rise to classic Aerotoxic Syndrome symptoms. This is extremely significant news as the test should lead the way to better diagnosis and treatment of this illness, not to mention better recognition for those that have been affected by it. Report and conference poster
Documentary “Toxins in Aircraft?”
 Following on from his previous film focusing on a flight attendant with Aerotoxic Syndrome, this piece from German aviation journalist Tim van Beveren asks what the airlines are doing to mitigate the problem of contaminated cabin air. He concludes, and we agree, that they are still not taking the problem seriously enough. “Toxins in Aircraft?”, 8 minutes
After the item, Mr van Beveren is interviewed by the documentary presenter and gives an insight into contaminated air incidents and reporting, and gives a brief history the industry's change from using outside compressed air to engine bleed air. Interview, German, with English subtitles, 5 minutes
Unions press release
Aerotoxic Association chairman John Hoyte was invited to a conference on contaminated cabin air in Berlin on 18th May where he had the opportunity to address pilots, unions politicians, scientists, doctors and the media. The conference was hosted by ver.di, one of the world's largest trade unions, and together with two German aircrew unions they issued a press release calling for an immediate and independent investigation into the cabin air problem, plus the implementation of simple solutions like bleed air filters and contaminated air warning devices. We wholeheartedly support their plea and look forward to the day the industry stops denying the problem.
In an interview with German newspaper sueddeutsche.de, Captain Jörg Handwerg from the union "Cockpit" makes his views on the subject clear.
Information card
 We have produced this handy credit card-sized information card with information about what to do if you experience a fume event on your flight. This includes making a note of pertinent information at the time and then following it up with enquiries to the airline and aviation authorities.
Of course the main priority onboard the aircraft is to protect yourself as much as possible by trying to limit your exposure to the fumes. As stopping breathing is probably not an option, the use of an activated charcoal face mask may the next best thing.
And finally ...
What happened to the Cranfield report? This is the one they said they would publish in 2009 (House of Commons, 21 April 2008). And the one that they said they would publish by 15th March 2010 (BBC, 15 September 2009). Does anyone else have the feeling they are not in a hurry to get to the bottom of this issue? There is always hope that our new government can get things moving.
Read this newsletter in a browser: http://www.aerotoxic.org/index.php/newsletters/509-june-2010-newsletter
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