Wednesday, 21 August 2013 - 08:03
Aerotoxic Syndrome Alarms NL
'Aerotoxic syndrome' has raised concerns in the Netherlands.
The syndrome involves health impacts supposedly caused by a toxic smoke exposure from tricresyl phosphate (TCP) released in the airplane. TCP is mixed with the lubricating oil of aircraft engines. A problem in the plane’s air supply may reportedly lead to TCP release in the cabin air.
Photo by Altair78/Wikimedia Commons
The Netherlands has considered this as a growing issue as new studies show that exposure to such toxic chemicals may possibly lead to altered levels of concentration, fatigue, and headache.
A couple of years ago, the State Secretary of Infrastructure and the Environment in the Netherlands said there is no proof that TCP and aerotoxic syndrome are related and so no other studies were initiated.
But this year, the State Secretary said that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is arranging a probe on the potential hazards of the toxic substance as requested by the government. The Dutch National Institute of Public Health and Environment (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, RIVM) will be in charge of the study, which is set to begin next year.
The State Secretary also said that further investigation will be made in the Netherlands on the exposures of cabin members and to TCP in the plane and its effects. An assembly of cabin crew is also preparing an allegation against various airlines about the harms they have experienced from exposure to poisonous fumes.
Source: Lexology