Abstract
Symptoms reported by passengers and crewmembers on commercial aircraft are described according to individual air quality-related sources, including: (1) elevated levels of bioeffluents; (2) infectious agents; (3) extreme temperatures; (4) exhaust fumes, deicing fluid, fuel fumes, and cleaning products; (5) heated engine oil and hydraulic fluid; (6) reduced oxygen supply; (7) ozone gas; and (8) insecticides. A brief overview of the aircraft regulatory environment and available sources of data on the hazards and associated health effects is also provided.
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Abbreviations
- APU:
-
Auxiliary power unit
- BLS:
-
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- CAMI:
-
US Civil Aeromedical Institute
- CAR:
-
Canadian Aviation Regulation
- CFM:
-
Cubic feet of air per minute
- CO:
-
Carbon monoxide
- CS:
-
European Certification Specification
- EASA:
-
European Aviation Safety Agency
- ECS:
-
Environmental control systems
- ETS:
-
Environmental tobacco smoke
- FAA:
-
US Federal Aviation Administration
- FAR:
-
US Federal Aviation Regulation
- ITF:
-
International Transport Workers' Federation
- JAA:
-
Joint Aviation Authorities (Europe)
- L/s:
-
Liters per second
- NIOSH:
-
US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- SARS:
-
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
- TB:
-
Tuberculosis
- TC:
-
Transport Canada
- TCPs:
-
Tricresylphosphates
- TWA:
-
Time-weighted average
- WHO:
-
World Health Organization
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Murawski, J. Occupational and Public Health Risks. In: Hocking, M. (eds) Air Quality in Airplane Cabins and Similar Enclosed Spaces. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 4H. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/b107235
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