BALPA is Still Fuming

The British Airline Pilots Assn, the UK Dept for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority are about to hunker down together with airlines, engine and airframe manufacturers on the subject of toxicologically noxious fumes in airliners. Because it has been a very subjective physiological issue for thirty years, BALPA has proposed a new approach. In a Chairman's letter dated today (25 April 2007) BALPA is suggesting a new non-histological approach; i.e. to start from the premise that it is not known what causes ill health and to research all possible contaminants. There will initially be two investigations.
1. To investigate which substances are produced when oil is pyrolyzed.
2. To analyze what volatile and semi volatile organic compounds are released into cabin air.
Three different types of sensing device will be used on the most affected types (Boeing 757 and BAe146/Avro RJ)
• Solid Phase Micro extraction (SPME)
• Photo Ionisation Detector (PID)
• A ‘Grab Sampler’ being designed by the Building Research Establishment.
It is proposed that:
• The sensing devices will be used in pairs, so that there is always a cross check.
• The analysis of the sensors is to be carried out at two different laboratories.
• Before the commencement of the project, the devices are to be validated by various chemicals - deliberately released into the cabin environment.
• Neither what is released, nor when, is to be known to the laboratories or to the data collectors during commencement and during periodical checks.
Details are available at tinyurl.com/ypdd5j (and in Air Safety Week dated 30 April 07)