Cabin Air Quality
Today’s modern aircraft require fuels, hydraulic fluids, oils, and other
chemicals in order to operate. Most of these chemicals can cause a wide array of
symptoms if exposures are in high enough concentrations for a long enough
time. Because passengers and crew have complained of symptoms that they
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attribute to these substances, a number of studies have been conducted over the
past 10-15 years.
In general, these studies have consistently revealed levels of organic
substances, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and airborne particles in the cabin
air well below regulatory standards and below those encountered in offices, the
street, or subway.