Cabin Air Quality

Ensuring Safe Cabin Air for Pilots & Passengers

Cabin air quality is an important safety and health issue for airline crews and passengers. Contaminated air can lead to serious in-flight medical symptoms, impair pilot performance, and compromise aviation safety.

Numerous substances can degrade cabin air quality, including pyrolyzed engine oils, hydraulic fluids, and other airborne toxins. Contaminants can enter the air supply via sources such as oil, hydraulic, or deice fluid entering the bleed air system. Exposure to these contaminants can cause both immediate and long-term health effects. 

Stronger Cabin Air Protections Needed

To address the risks associated with contaminated cabin air, the following actions must be taken:

• Conduct medical research to develop tests that detect toxic chemical exposure after a cabin air quality event and document the health risks of both acute and chronic exposure.
• Install smoke, fume, and fire detection systems in all current and future transport-category aircraft. Full-face oxygen masks and equipment that allow pilots to see flight instruments during smoke-filled events should also be mandatory.
• Equip aircraft with air quality sensors capable of real-time in-flight monitoring to detect contamination and improve response measures.
• Develop new engine and systems technologies to prevent oils and lubricants from entering bleed air systems and exposing crews and passengers to harmful contaminants.