Aircraft Cabin Bleed Air Contaminants: A Review

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute2015PDFTech ReportDay, Gregory AUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Office of Aerospace MedicineUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited StatesFumesPollutantsContaminantsAir qualityHealth hazardsRisk assessmentReviewsBleed AirBleed Air ContaminantsCabin Air QualityToxic FumesToxic Fume EventsDOT/FAA/AM-15/20Final ReportThe purpose of this paper is to describe potential health-related risks surrounding human exposure to bleed air contaminants generated during \u201cfume events\u201d inside pressurized aircraft. Information was obtained from available literature primarily in regard to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, and airborne particles. The quality of air distributed throughout the cockpit and cabin during air transportation in a pressurized aircraft is critically important to human health. Since 1984, public law in the United States has directed research in cabin air quality, including investigation of health risks among individuals exposed to toxic fumes during flight. Quantification of the potential health risks associated with exposure to bleed-air contaminants in cabin air is not possible without broad identification and measurement of the representative hazardous constituents of bleed air during contaminated air events. Such broad identification and measurement does not exist. Included in Public Law 112-95 is the directive to \u201cassess bleed air quality on the full range of commercial aircraft operating in the United States.\u201d Carrying out such a mandate requires adequate funding to support required research.115