Health problems created by unsafe air conditions in airplanes and
especially problems caused by
bleed air have been recognized by European
governments and organizations, yet they are largely ignored by the airlines
and oil companies in the United States.  Or, even worse, that serious health
problems can be caused by breathing in
toxic air from airline cabins has
been denied despite strong evidence of it's effects.

   Bleed air is air which comes into an airline cabin through the air
conditioning intake.  Air passes through the jet engine and generally goes
three places.  One place is past the engine, hydraulic oil, and then into the
cabin to be cooled as cabin air for the crew and passengers.  Oil
or fluid in
the APU can also become hydrolized and cause the same injury.

   When there is a hydraulic leak, the oil
/fluid is heated dramatically by the
engine.  This heating
produces toxic characteristics.  This toxic air is
introduced into the cabin to be breathed in by passengers and crew alike
, or
is expelled directly from the engine or APU.
  Depending on the severity of the
leak and a person's sensitivity or exposure, toxic poisoning can, and does
occur in various degrees.  Immediate symptoms include flu like symptoms,
difficulty breathing, coughing, light headedness or giddiness, headaches,
and other symptoms.  Actual physical effects which may not be immediately
recognizable can be: permanent or temporary
brain injury or damage,
neurological damage, vision problems, short term memory loss,
uncontrollable intermittent shaking of a hand or body part,  numbness in
extremeties, aching of muscles, and what has been described as lupus like or
menier's like symptoms.

   The pyrolized, or burnt, oil
/fluid (TCP) is breathed in and circulated
throughout the body.  
It is stored in the body and it can get into the brain,
muscles, and nerves.
Small oil leaks can secrete these fumes over time.  
Long term exposure in flight crew has been shown to cause these symptoms
and damage.   Because the problem has been ignored or denied, many flight
crew
and, we are discovering, passengers, have been told they have other
diseases or problems which mimic lupus,  multiple sclerosis, or menear's
disease, among other disorders.

   These leaks are not uncommon.  They are in many, many aircraft.  Some
models have more problems than others.  (Refer to the links on the home
page.)  Recently, it was stated that it would cost
$10,000.00 per aircraft to
fix the problem.  
 Why are they not doing that?  I think we all know the
answer, money.   What is more important, a person's health or the cost
?  
Plus,  with the 'powers that be' saying that there is no problem, how many
more people must get sick, or neurologically damaged before someone acts.   

   Cabin crew, including pilots, have related their individual experiences and
health problems, as well as instances where a pilot almost lost consciousness
while piloting a commercial aircraft, all thought to be related to toxic cabin air.  
Please
take the time to read the websites which are linked on our home page.
These are only a few of the articles and studies available on the web.  
Because it has been denied and ignored, many doctors are not aware of the
possibility of toxic air exposure on planes and, therefore, may not realize what
is causing a person's symptoms.  Educate  them.   
www.aopis.org has a link
to a great DVD which explains the problem in detail with personal comments
by some people exposed.  
This is a good starting place for anyone,
including professionals, to educate themselves.


   We urge you to educate yourself and others to become aware.  If you feel
you have been exposed to toxic cabin air or know someone who has, please
post your information on our experiences page so that we can learn,
share, gather information, and spread the information to others, as well as the
medical community.  You may contact us for experts and/or doctors who may
be familiar with the TCP exposure.

   Please read the article where Boeing responds to the British Parliament
that it's newer planes will eliminate the problem of bleed air fumes.  The
manufacturers, the airlines, and the oil companies have been aware of these
problems for years and have done nothing about it and have done
nothing
to warn
the passenger, or the crews.

   Please spread the word.  And
next time you fly, do not assume the 'dirty
sock' smell is the passenger next to you.  Burnt oil
or fluid is said to smell like
dirty socks.   It is going to take a lot of people--- passengers, crew, and the
medical community--- and, we are afraid, a lot of time to bring this to the
forefront.  

   Why does no one know or seem to care?  
Please read the attached links,
and look for more!  The leading medical doctor in this area is Dr. Peter Julu in
the UK.  
A leading researcher is Dr. Christopher Van Netten of the University
of British Columbia.
Search their names and read more on what they have
found.

         
 Be aware,  be careful, and be safe, for               
              yourself and your future !



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INFORMATION ON THE AIR WE
BREATHE IN THE AIR

IS IT TOXIC   ?