Congress to Make Airlines Face Toxic Cabin Air Problems

June 19, 2001
The Aircraft Clean Air Act, introduced in both the Senate and the\r\nHouse last week, will force airlines to address a serious public\r\nhealth issue onboard aircrafts.

The Aircraft Clean Air Act, introduced in both the Senate and the House last week, will force airlines to address a serious public health issue onboard aircrafts.

According to the bill, airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would have to record and respond to complaints of contaminated cabin air.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D. Calif., and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., introduced the legislation which would require:

The FAA to accept and record cabin air quality complaints from passengers, crew members and their representatives and pass the complaints to the appropriate airline -- allowing flight attendants and passengers who become ill from contaminated cabin air to link their symptoms to exposure to toxins in the air supply system.

The airlines to maintain records of all complaints for 10 years.

Airlines to provide mechanical and maintenance records within 15 days to a passenger or crew member who has developed specific symptoms that relate to contaminated cabin air.

A study to determine healthy oxygen levels in the cabin.

Hydraulic fluids and engine oils can get into the aircraft''s ventilation air, which is pumped into the aircraft cabin.

Exposure to contaminants in an aircraft''s air supply can have health effects ranging from flu-like symptoms to neurological damage.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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