How to Protect Yourself From Exposure to Toxic Airplane Air

Due to a high instance of illness among flight crews and frequent fliers scientists are examining the quality of airplane air and the results are not satisfactory. It has been discovered that passengers on most planes breathe a combination of recycled cabin air and "bleed air" or air that comes off of the engines, is cooled and then pumped, totally unfiltered, into the cabin area. A recent Telegraph article told of a pilot and co-pilot that were made so sick by toxic air that they almost failed to safely land the plane (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/759562/Is-cabin-air-making-us-sick.html#continue). Especially if you fly often it is imperative that you take to following steps to avoid toxic air on airplanes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Research
• Pen, paper, stamps
• Gas mask
• 3M CBRN canister

1. Avoid flying whenever possible. For getting there quickly, flying can't be beat. But if you have some time to kill there are numerous other enjoyable ways to travel. Consider taking a bus, a train or driving to your destination. For overseas travel consider repositioning cruises; not only do these have rates that rival flying but a repositioning cruise can be a romantic and interesting way of reaching your overseas destination. “The journey not the arrival matters.” - T. S. Eliot

2. If you must fly, fly on a newer model. Newer planes tend to be more fuel efficient and the engine components have had less time to deteriorate and collect. You'll, still of course be breathing toxic air on some of these models, but at least it won't be as toxic.

3. Take a Boeing Dreamliner 787 whenever available. Slated for production early next year, the Boeing Dreamliner 787 will be a super efficient airplane. The cabin air will consist of a mix of recycled cabin air and processed fresh air from outside of the plane.

4. Before booking, call the airline, inform them of your fears and ask what steps have been taken to protect you from toxic air. Only by holding airlines accountable can we work toward the changes and upgrades necessary to ensure our safety.

5. Write your congressman. Make policymakers aware of the problem and demand the changes necessary to ensure your protection.

6. 
   wear a gas mask

   When you must fly, consider wearing a gas mask to protect yourself and to raise awareness.
   
   http://www.drillspot.com/products/428275/Msa_10031342_Full_Face_Gas_Mask
   
   And don't forget the carbon canister:
   
   http://www.drillspot.com/products/118179/3M_FR-15-CBRN_Cbrn_Canister

Tips & Warnings

• If you wait until the middle of the flight to put on your gas mask be aware that other passengers may get nervous.

Resources

• Up in the Air: New Worries About ‘Fume Events’ on Planes - Wall Street Journal
• Airplane Cabin Air: It’s Toxic
• 'Toxic' cabin air found in new plane study
• Is airplane air toxic? - Seattle PI
• Scientists analyze blood to test for toxic airplane air exposure - CNN
• 'Toxic Airplane Air' - News Results - Google

[tcp-for-tea]

on 11/1/2009 These are all valid points. Tip #6 is a good one, and you can buy face masks for the specific purpose here. http://www.aerotoxic.org/aerotoxic They are lined with activated carbon, so are ideal at removing toxic oil fumes. There is also loads of info about the cabin fumes in the website. It makes for surprising reading.