Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/12999
AIR TRAVEL SAFETY – PART I by ROOPA CHARI, M.D. & DEEPAK CHARI Have you ever felt very tired, ill or had a headache during or after a flight? This could be due to the Aerotoxic Syndrome: This syndrome is the ROOPA CHARI, M.D. name of the illness caused by the long-term effects of breathing con- taminated cabin air in DEEPAK CHARI an aircraft. This term was introduced by Dr. Harry Hoffman, Professor Chris Winder and Jean Christophe Balouet, Ph.D. A little known fact is that the air you breathe while flying is pumped into the cabins by the aircraft engines. This air can contain very hazardous chemicals. Dr. Sarah Myhill, medical advisor to the Aerotoxic Association stated that “Pilots, cabin, crew and indeed all passengers are at risk of poisoning every time they fly.” The Aerotoxic Association was set up in 2007 to raise awareness of these issues and to bring increased awareness for airlines to take measures to protect aircrew and pas- sengers HOW DOES THE CABIN AIR IN A FLIGHT GET CONTAMINATED? When we fly, it is important to have a comfortable environment and sufficient air pressure in the cabin to breathe at the high alti- tudes. To accomplish this, a supply of warm compressed air (known as “bleed air”) is required and is supplied directly from the engines. This air is mixed inside the aircraft with re-circulated cabin air at a ratio of about 50/50. Even though some of the air is re-circulated cabin air, all of the air originally comes from the engines. The compressor section of the engine has many moving parts that are lubricated. There are seals to keep the lubricating oil and air separate, however they are not 100% effective and will let some oil into the air. If a large amount of oil mixes with the hot com- pressed air, fumes or smoke will enter the cabin (known as a “fume event”). HOW CAN I TELL IF THE CABIN AIR IS CONTAMINATED? You might be able to see smoke in the cabin or a bluish haze or by smell. However there will not always be an odor. It has been described as an oily smell, sweaty socks, wet dog and others have also described it as “oily” or “burning”. WHY ARE THE FUMES TOXIC? The oil has many toxic ingredients including Tricresyl phos- phate, which is an organophosphate known for its neuro-toxic (brain toxic) properties. Organophosphates are used in manufac- turing pesticides and nerve agents (chemical weapons). They have been implicated with neurological problems seen in farmers and “Gulf War Syndrome” seen with the Gulf War veterans. However, there are additional contaminants to the jet oil and hydraulic fluid that burn in the hot bleed air and form new prod- ucts. The cabin air can also contain vaporized heavy metals from the engines since the fan blades contain nickel, cadmium and beryllium. It is not known what effects these chemicals have on the body. Nickel is a known carcinogen and has been found at danger- ously high levels in medical tests on cabin crew. Inhaling chemicals such as those in jet engine oil is potentially toxic considering they are designed to withstand the extreme envi- ronment of an aircraft engine. Amazingly there are no air filters between the engines and cabin so those on board inhale the con- taminants that come from the engine into the air supply. There are also no detectors to monitor the air quality and to alert the crew when hazardous chemicals from the engines build up in the cabin. No studies have been done to show the health effects of inhal- ing these chemicals in an enclosed space. However, governments, airlines and airline regulators state that the air we breathe on board a flight is safe though they will not dispute the fact that jet oil fumes can get into the cabin air supply. Keep in mind that unfil- tered bleed air system is currently used on all commercial airliners in all countries around the world. References: 1. Aerotoxic Association, Support for Sufferers of Aerotoxic Syndrome; www.aerotoxic.org 2. “Could air travel be making you sick?” by Sarah Best, Get Fresh 3. “Radiation risks cited in full-body airport scans” Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, Daily Breeze, Torrance, Calif. http://www.dailybreeze.com. Copyright (c) 2010 Dr. Roopa Chari is a Board Certified Medical Doctor in Internal Medicine. Deepak Chari is an Engineer and Certified Biofeedback Specialist. Dr. Chari is Medical Director of a Leading Edge Holistic Medical Center in Santa Barbara, CA called, “The Chari Center of Health.” The Chari’s incorporate Natural Health Programs, Mind/Body Medicine, and Amazing Biofeedback Technologies to enhance your physical and emotional health. For more information please call (805) 963-1111 or visit www.charicenter.com. Part II of Air Travel Safety will appear in the July/August issue. Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 31