Health inquiry launched into aircraft passenger cabins

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Health inquiry launched into aircraft passenger cabins

The Government is to investigate conditions in passenger aircraft cabins

following a series of fume escapes.

Environment Minister Meacher announced the study following a long

campaign by North Cornwall Liberal Democrat MP Tyler.

Mr Tyler is concerned about the effects of toxic vapours from jet engine

lubricants escaping into the aircraft cockpit and cabin areas.

Last November, some passengers became unconscious and others were unwell

after an unidentified gas entered a Swedish-registered BAe 146 aircraft.

There have been a number of other fume-related incidents involving BAe

146s - a plane used by members of the Royal Family - and last week it was

revealed that an Australian Senate inquiry had taken evidence of leaks from

146s, Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.

Mr Tyler said: " I have seen reports of incidents as far apart as Sweden and

the United States. The implications for air safety are mind-boggling.

" Of the 1,000 deaths that take place in flight each year worldwide, more are

due to heart attacks than to crashes.

" Passengers are in an artificial environment where there may be 20 to 25%

less oxygen, equivalent to being at the top of a mountain.

" When you add this to the gathering evidence of neurological damage from

leaks of dangerous lubricant fumes, it is obvious that there is real cause

for concern. "

An inquiry about the aircraft cabin environment is already being carried out

by a sub-committee of the House of Lords science and technology committee

but Mr Meacher has now said that the Government had decided to commission a

comprehensive study of the subject without waiting for the House of Lords

inquiry's findings.

Last updated: 01:14 Sunday 27th August 2000.