Illness among aircraft crew and passengers

[Judith AFA]

Calling all nurses... If passengers and crew of commercial aircraft come into the ER etc. sick with symptoms consistent with exposure to carbon monoxide/tricresylphosphates or pyrethroid pesticides, is it standard to work backwards and ask questions about their flight? Passengers and crew can be exposed to CO and OPs when heated oils and hydraulic fluids contaminate the air supply system, and to pyrethroid pesticides when flying on an aircraft that has been heavily sprayed, as required by some countries. Our flight attendant union gets hundreds of illness reports as do other crewmember unions, but there is such limited awareness of these problems outside the aviation industry that it is hard for passengers and crew to get the right medical treatment and to be compensated appropriately. If you would like more information, please contact me directly or visit http://www.afanet.org/safetyandhealth.asp

[LucyGoosey]

Case of young healthy athletic male patient who presented with entire loss of one lung function following trip to Asia where he flew out of Hong Kong to return to states. Has been worked up by many specialists to no avail. Everybody stumped by this one. How tough would it be to take flight number and get report of what was sprayed and when on his particular flight/plane?

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

I have to ask as I haven't been overseas for a while but are we Aussies still spraying Aircraft with pesticides?

Also since this IS a nursing bulletin Board if you would like to post further symptoms that you are concerned about it would be helpful.

[Judith AFA]

Hi Lucy:

Got goosebumps when I read your post. United Airlines sprays its 747-400 aircraft in Hong Kong, in anticipation of routing them to Australia within the next 8 weeks. Those aircraft usually fly to Chicago or San Francisco, and then routed on domestic and international trips. This is a big part of the problem - people don't have to fly to Australia or India or Jamaica, for example, to be exposed. For a time, United also sprayed its 777 aircraft in Taipei, in anticipation of routing them to New Zealand.

I may be able to get you the aircraft info - call me at 206-709-2743. Other airlines also spray their planes without telling passengers and crew.

United aircraft soaked with 2% permethrin (a pyrethroid pesticide) and mixture of solvents SHORTLY BEFORE crew and passengers board. If 8 weeks expires before aircraft reaches destination that requires spraying, then flight attendants spray passengers and themselves with a solution of 2% phenothrin (another pyrethroid), solvents, and HFCs in-flight OR upon arrival. We have many flight attendants with same complaint (reduced lung capacity, lung scarring, fluid buildup, difficulty breathing, etc). Info available on heightened sensitivity of certain populations (pregnant, asthmatic, esp. for repeated exposures). Anaphylatic reactions on aircraft documented for over 20 years.

Spray formulations described above are typical according to Intl Civil Aviation Organization. Documentation available. For chemical analysis of sprays, see http://www.afanet.org/safetyandhealth/pesticides.asp. This website is in the process of being updated - NEW URL will be http://www.afanet.org/ashsd/pesticides.htm

Thanks for your post.

[Judith AFA]

Hi Gwenith:

THANK YOU for your post. Yes, Ausssies still require pesticide spraying, along with New Zealand, Jamaica, Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, India, etc. Also, some countries require pesticide spraying on selected flights - UK, France, Czech Republic, etc - depending on destination.

Symptoms include: sinus problems, difficulty breathing/throat swelling, sore throat, irritated eyes/tearing, loss of voice, loss of lung function/lung scarring/fluid pockets in lungs, sores in nose,headache, rapid heartbeat. ALSO, peripheral neuropathy, memory loss, disorientation, unusual fatigue. Anaphylaxis documented by 1979 notice published by the US CDC when they announced their intention to stop routine spraying on flight arriving in Hawaii. Two panels of Aussie scientists (commissioned by government) have recommended that "disinsection be discontinued" because (1) bugs are developing chemical resistance; and (2) reports of illness. But spraying continues. Even during Olympic games (Sydney 2000) when athletes were flying in. Contents of sprays described in above post to Lucy.

[Judith AFA]

Clarification - symptoms reported following exposure to heated hydraulic fluids/oils in air supply systems on commercial aircraft:

Flu-like symptoms (chills, muscle aches), stomach cramping (consistent with exposure to organophosphate additives).

Tunnel vision, dizziness, fainting, severe headache (consistent with exposure to carbon monoxide).

Peripheral neurophathy, memory loss, seizures, tremors, abnormal balance/gait. (Effect of high level carbon monoxide exposure - esp. in reduced oxygen environment and/or delayed neurotoxic effect of exposure to organophosphates.)