What To Do If You Encounter Contaminated Cabin Air

Click here for a printable wallet-size version of this information

There are many sources of smoke, haze, and odors (fumes) in the aircraft cabin and flight deck, such as galleys, carry-ons, lavatories, and electrical systems.  Some types of contaminated air are just unpleasant, but others are toxic.  The aircraft air supply system can be a source of smoke/fumes when it gets contaminated with engine oil, hydraulic fluid, exhaust/fuel, deicing fluid, and ozone.  Of these, oil and hydraulic fluid smoke/fumes are the most toxic.  Oil fumes may smell like dirty socks. Other descriptions include musty/moldy, old cheese, chemicals, and even electrical-like.

Most incidents with poor cabin air quality “only” involve exposure to fumes (odor) and not haze/smoke. Still, depending on the type of contaminants in the air, “just fumes” can still be toxic.  If you think that you may have been exposed to either oil or hydraulic fluid-contaminated ventilation air, follow the steps below.

What To Do

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1. Identify The Situation

If you encounter unusual fumes, odors, smoke, or haze:

• Quickly try to identify the source: is it the cabin air vents or something else?
• If the source is the air from the vents in the cabin, there is possibly oil/hydraulic fluid contamination.
• Report the situation to the pilots immediately.
• If no passengers are on board, step off the aircraft, especially if maintenance boards to test systems
• Avoid breathing fumes coming from vents, if possible

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2. Get Help If Sick

• If in the air, notify the pilots to call Medlink
• If still at the gate, ask the CSA to call paramedics.  Deplane if possible.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.  Some tests must be performed as soon as possible to detect exposure.  Your symptoms can persist, worsen, or return after another incident.
• Call AFA for help (contact info is below)
• Print and begin completing the AFA exposure checklist
• Review the AFA International Air Quality website

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3. Report & Document

• File an employee injury report with the company
• File an irregularity report with the company
• File an ASAP report with the company
• Keep printed copies of each report
• Send a copy of the completed employee injury report to the ASHSC Air Quality Representative.
• Ask a supervisor to complete their Alaska Airlines air quality checklist with you
• If sick, file a worker’s compensation claim and see a doctor as quickly as possible.  Claims do not start until you see a doctor.
• Keep a symptom diary and document everything with a doctor

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AFA Contact Information

Information For Your Doctor

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Print these documents and take them with you to all medical appointments

• Health Care Providers Guide (Summary Version)
• Blood Testing Information
• Oil Safety Data Sheet for the aircraft you were on (see below)
• Hydraulic Fluid Safety Data Sheet for the aircraft you were on (see below)

Print these documents and take them with you to any medical specialist appointments

• Health Care Providers Guide (Comprehensive Version)

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If Oil/Hydraulic Fumes

High-temperature oil/hydraulic fluid fumes can contaminate aircraft air supply system from engines/APU.  Give your treating physician the relevant safety data sheet (SDS) AND Health Care Providers’ Guide.  AFA can send these to ER/doctor upon request.

Alaska Airlines uses:

* contains tricresyl phosphates, per SDS
** contains tributyl phosphates, per SDS.

Fumes can contain carbon monoxide (CO).  Notify doctor if you took oxygen (recommended) because it can influence the CO blood test.  Information regarding blood tests to discuss with doctor can be found at http://ashsd.afacwa.org/docs/docinfo.pdf.