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​IATA
Cabin Air Quality Event FAQs

All rights © IATA May 2018 


What is a Cabin Air Quality Event (CAQE)?
Cabin pressurisation and air-conditioning generally uses a combination of recirculated air that is filtered, and ‘bleed air’ from the engines.
Cabin air needs to meet air quality standards (such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE), and extensive research has shown cabin air to be of high quality in normal operations.
Uncommon Cabin Air Quality Events (Commonly referred to as odour, smoke or fumes events) can occur when cabin air becomes odorous or (rarely) if it is contaminated e.g. by trace amounts of oil or hydraulic fluid or other agents from the engines or APU.

What are the procedures if there is a CAQE?
CAQEs can be minor odour events (e.g. from galleys, lavatories, passengers or extraneous sources), or more serious when the air contamination is persistent, causes symptoms (irritant) or causes illness (noxious).
For the more serious events, operating crew are trained to take a conservative approach, and this may result in an air turn-back, or the precautionary donning of oxygen masks and/or smoke hoods.
For detectable smoke and/or fumes, a Smoke and Fumes Protocol should be followed during flight and then upon landing. This protocol may involve operating crew, engineers, safety and health personnel and management in a coordinated assessment.
Technical investigations should always be conducted to find the source of the smoke/fumes/odours and correct it. Engineering and other improvements are constantly being sought to reduce the likelihood of these events.

What are the possible Health Effects of a CAQE?
In most CAQEs there is no impact on crew or passengers and all that is noticed is an unusual smell.
In some events, crew and/ or passengers experience symptoms. Affected aircrew are generally interviewed by safety and/or medical personnel and given appropriate advice. Health effects are usually short lived and resolve over hours-to-days. These can include Irritation of the eyes, nose, mouth or throat, shortness-of-breath, headache, nausea and abdominal discomfort and tiredness.
It is important to note that the nose and eyes are extremely sensitive organs and can detect and react to substances that are present at lower-than-micro-concentration levels. Irritant symptoms are our body’s way of warning us of low level exposures so that we can take corrective actions. Irritation does not mean that someone will become ill. An analogy is our eyes response to cutting onions. We can become extremely irritated by this colourless substance but there is no health effect.

What is ‘Aerotoxic Syndrome’?
Some crew who have been involved in CAQEs do subsequently experience ongoing ill health and may link their symptoms to the exposure, however the research to date has not established any causative link.
The risk to the longer-term health of crew involved in such events is a controversial issue and whilst research on the subject needs to continue, there is much misinformation in popular media and online that is not scientifically based.
Aerotoxic syndrome is not a medically or scientifically recognised diagnosis, and there are no scientifically valid tests or treatments. The label of aerotoxic syndrome is unhelpful, and it’s important for treating medical practitioners to accurately diagnose and treat the known medical effects of smoke/fumes exposures.
Being involved in a CAQE event can be a stressful and not surprisingly, can create anxiety in some crew. Reading information from lobby groups or being told that you will become sick can worsen this anxiety and some susceptible crew members may actually feel unwell because of these anxieties. It is important to receive factual based information so that no harm is done from these well-meaning and concerned groups and individuals.

What can I do if I suspect that I’ve been exposed or affected in a CAQE?
  • 􏰀  Follow procedures from the relevant operating manuals
  • 􏰀  Be conscious of other crew and/or passengers who may have been exposed
  • 􏰀  Relay any symptoms you have to your on-board manager and/or ground manager
  • 􏰀  Seek clear medical direction around your symptoms
  • 􏰀  Actively seek reassurance for any concerns or uncertainties. If available, contact
      your company Medical Services or designated physicians if you would like to discuss
      any health concerns.
  • 􏰀  Ensure early medical assessment for symptoms that aren’t mild or that don’t resolve
      quickly by themselves
  • 􏰀  Follow your company procedures if you feel too unwell to work

 Read IATA ©ORIGINAL HERE
​
VIEW PETITION "Airline Associations Attempt to Stop Campaigns for Safe, Clean Air Onboard Aircraft"  CHANGE.org HERE
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EASA Cabin Air Quality

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide personalized advice to individuals on diagnosis, treatment and professional and/or legal issues. However, you will find all the information you need on these pages. We thank you for your understanding and hope that the materials on this site will help answer your questions.

​Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor but a concerned citizen collating research. The provided information should be double checked by everyone according to their personal circumstances before embarking on any treatment in consultation with their personal doctor who knows about the discussed subject and their medical history. Please make sure to present the three downloadable documents HERE  for your doctor's information. This is an effort to share what I have learnt by reading many scientific and medical journals on this subject and my own experience and health journey following exposure to fume events and onboard aerosol pesticide spraying.


All Rights Reserved © Bearnairdine Beaumont
UNFILTERED formerly known as "Aerotoxic Team" the Global Network
2013 - 2026
​Latest update 05. June 2025

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  • HOME
    • Bearnairdine Beaumont
    • SPANISH Pages
    • Report an Incident
    • Contact
  • What are Fume Events?
    • Fume Events? Aerotoxic Syndrome? >
      • Unfiltered - contents of fumes
      • Aerotoxic Syndrome Advice
    • Medical INFO
    • Why ICD-Classification?
    • Science
    • Flying while pregnant
  • Victim Impact
    • Time Line
    • Victim Impact Testimonies
    • Victim Impact Docs, Films
    • Court Cases >
      • The court case of pilot Lacoude
      • ICC The Hague
      • The Hague
    • FAQ's
    • Debate so far
  • Passenger Videos
  • PETITION
    • Petition en Français
    • Petition in English
    • Petition auf Deutsch
    • Petition en Español
    • Petition in het Nederlands
  • MEDICAL HEALTH CONCERNS at Altitude, Fumes & Vaccinations
    • CREW mask info >
      • Flyer's Friend®
  • Disinsection
  • NEWS BLOG & ARTICLES - Aviation's Wounded Canaries
    • UPDATES & NEWS >
      • Press Conference Airplane Safety Legislation Toxic Fumes
      • Press Conference Safe Air on Airplane Act
      • Research Funding Michel Mulder MD.
      • Daniel Dumalin MSc Study on Brain Damage
      • FRANCE The great smoke & mirrors
    • AKADEMIA >
      • Chemicals With Wings
    • Expert Articles on Filtration >
      • Ti-DOX HydroxylizAire “
      • AIRBUS Filtration Problems Dec.8/1988
      • Contaminated air in airliner cabins
      • ASHRAE Introduction to Passenger Aircraft Cabin Air
      • Aeronautical Engineering Prof. Dr.-Ing Dieter Scholz
      • Horizon 2020 Breath of Fresh Air
      • Patent Air Conditiong System air or rail
      • Airbus Cabin Air Explanations >
        • Airborne COVID-19 Decontamination Reinhard Schuetz P. Eng.
      • Airline CEO's Obsession
      • Filtration Efficiency Claims: Misleading?
      • HEPA Technology Tested
      • Forgotten Pollution: Cabin Air Quality
      • The Scent of Flying Free EBook
      • Flying despite Corona?
  • Latest NEWS