HEALTH IRRITANTS Of cabin crews

Posted on 03/10/2016 | About Barranquilla, Colombia

Dry eyes, parched mouth, nasal stuffiness and upper respiratory issues are often associated with air travel. All are valid, according to a study recently released, blaming high ozone levels and poor cabin air quality on health problems suffered by cabin crew.

Science Nordic reports that the study headed by Peder Wolkoff, adjunct professor at the Department of Chemistry, the University of Copenhagen, compared the air quality data in aircraft cabins with similar indoor climate data from office environments where workers often complain of similar health problems.“The ozone and the chemistry of the aircraft cabin may under certain circumstances be instrumental in causing mucosal irritation, especially if the ozone level becomes too high, and especially if relative humidity (of the cabin air) is too low,” said Wolkoff, according to Science Nordic."(Ozone) is a lung irritant, but there may also be some combined effects. The low humidity makes the mucous membranes, especially the eyes, more vulnerable to the substances formed when ozone reacts with some chemical constituents in the air. They form strong mucosal irritants, formaldehyde, and acrolein, which irritates the throat and eyes," said Wolkoff.Airline staff have greater exposure than the regular travelling public.