The Journal of Biological Physics and Chemistry

2012

 

Volume 12, Number 2, pp. 56–68

 

 

Contaminated aircraft cabin air: aspects of causation and acceptable risk

Jeremy J. Ramsden

Collegium Basilea (Institute of Advanced Study), Basel, Switzerland

The starting point of this paper is that despite the large amount of available data demonstrating the neurotoxicity of tricresyl phosphates and their presence in aircraft cabin air, and many cases of pilots, cabin crew and frequently flying passengers suffering neurological symptoms consistent with tricresyl phosphate poisoning, the inference that the tricresyl phosphates (which are present in jet engine lubricant) are the cause of the ill health of aircrew and passengers is still widely disputed by airlines, aircraft manufacturers, governments and regulatory agencies. This paper examines how data is transformed into evidence and explores some reasons for opposition to the proposition of causation. It also explores how elimination of the problem can be achieved in a cost-effective manner. Some useful avenues for continuing research are identified.

 

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