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It seems that airline customer service isn't the only thing lacking improvement in the airline industry today. Despite industry recommendations for: onboard air circulation, lower ozone exposure, monitoring of contaminated air from oil and hydraulic leaks, and limits on pesticides, no action has been taken. This has resulted in, you, the passenger breathing stagnant, poor quality air on your airline flight.
Newer planes circulate up to 50% of their air to save fuel, in contrast with older planes, which use all fresh outside air ventilation. This has resulted in more passengers complaining about headaches caused by stale air. It costs an increase of 2 to 4% fuel cost per year if airlines don't recirculate cabin air.
Today, more passengers are complaining about headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, mental confusion, and even numbness. The symptoms can be caused by the release of toxic gases or lack of oxygen.
A study by the ATA several years ago was designed to compare the use of hundred percent outside air on planes versus a combination of outside air and recirculated air passing through filters. When 100% outside air was used, the study found the cabins were relatively free of dust and other particles, micro organisms were well below OSHA levels, and no bacterial or fungal respiratory pathogens were isolated. Airborne diseases spread in airplane cabins because there is less fresh air and thus less available oxygen, then on a crowded train.
Airlines reduce the passenger of fresh air to save money. Pilots reduce the fresh air to the passenger cabin so fresher air could be diverted to the pilot cabin. The pilot's cockpit must of course have adequate oxygen-rich fresh air to keep the pilots clearheaded and insure a safe flight. The low oxygen recirculated air that you breathe, makes you vulnerable to catching contagious diseases as -- pneumonia, SARS, TBC, swine flu, and yes, the common cold.
The source of fresh air in airplanes is the atmosphere outside the plane. Turbine engines compress the outside air, and the air is diverted by way of a pneumatic system to air cycle machines that cool the cabin air.
Air drawn from the outside of the plane contains high ozone levels, because it comes from the upper atmosphere. Aircraft on long trips have ozone converters that decompose the ozone before it spreads into the cabins. Planes that fly short hops still fly without ozone converters.
Sensors were recommended to ensure that fresh air drawn from the outside and compressed inside the engine is not contaminated by any oil or hydraulic fluid leaks. Air is drawn from engine compressors to pressurize the cabin, and carry contaminated air. Despite the FAA recommendations, and Congress having passed legislation for the development of air sensors, no sensors are yet in existence.
The air quality is at its worst, when the plane is on the ground. When you are sitting in a plane because of a long ground delay, the cabin has inadequate air conditioning. Contaminants build within an airplane within five minutes of sitting on the ground. If it is a hot day and you are sweltering, the problem becomes more severe.
The FAA recommended that passengers be removed from planes within 30 minutes after air circulation equipment is shut down. These limits however are voluntary. They also recommended that air circulation should never be shut down on a plane with people aboard, except for operational reasons like de-icing when toxic fumes could be sucked in.
The problem is that cabin air has a very low humidity (15 to 25%), because very dry air is brought in from the outside at high altitudes. The air outside the plane is very cold, and has a very low absolute humidity, which when warmed translates also into a very low humidity level.
LAWSUITS
A lawsuit filed against Southwest Airlines because of oxygen deprivation was settled this month. Two sisters became sick as the pilot dropped to a lower altitude and landed at Albuquerque. Once the sisters landed. they experienced tremors, motor skill loss, loss of balance, and impaired vision. They claimed that the problem came from an additive (TCP) in the engine oil. Passenger cabin air comes from a collecting tube near the engines, and can find fuel additives like TCP, is toxic, and can find their way cabin air.
Another lawsuit against Alaska airlines by 26 flight attendants was settled this year for $725,000. They claimed they were sickened neurologically, by toxic leaks from chemicals and fluids used on their jets.
STALE AIR
More and more passengers are complaining about headaches caused by stale air. If the airplane air smells stuffy or bad, it is a sign of stale air. Complain to the flight attendant. The pilot can control the mix of fresh air available to the passenger ventilation system. The pilot’s cockpit is not affected by stale air, because the cockpit has a separate ventilation system.
A recent study found that 25% of flights had stale air at some point in the flight. The Boeing 757 planes were among the worst, up to five times higher than normal outside air. If you suffer from sore throat, dry eyes, headaches, itchy nose, allergies, or general fatigue it might be due to the dry air.
To combat these symptoms, remove contact lenses when you fly. Drink plenty of liquids and avoid alcohol and caffeine to prevent dehydration. Drink before and during the flight to hydrate yourself. Don't take any decongestant before you fly because this dries your nose.
COMMENTARY
The amount of air provided per cubic foot per minute is erroneously compared to that of outside buildings by the airlines. The exchanges per hour are not directly comparable. If you have asthma, lung problems, severe allergies, or impaired immunity, you soon might have to carry your own oxygen with you.
One year ago, aviation experts recommended voluntary standards for onboard air circulation, monitoring of contaminated air from oil or fluid leaks, limits on pesticides used on planes, and lower ozone exposure. The airlines have yet not acted on these recommendations. The airlines are waiting for the results of other research before taking action on air quality. And with the recession, we might wait a long time for these recommended standards.
When the passenger next to you coughs, he potentially infects you and nearby passengers. Fortunately, viruses and bacteria are not spread through the entire plane, because air circulation rates are high, and the pathogens in the cabin air gets flushed out rather quickly. But sick passengers do move up and down the aisles, potentially increasing your exposure.
Our airlines may be transporters of disease carrying sick people from one continent to another. With all airline recommendations being voluntary, the airlines have failed to improve the air quality and regulatory standards.
Flying seems to be getting very dangerous for one's health.
What do you think? Your comments are always appreciated.
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