“I was able to demonstrate just how potentially lethal these incidents have been.   With examples as far apart as Sweden and Australia pilots have reported both acute effects – including blackouts – and longer term chronic effects which could seriously impair their judgement.   And the aircraft most often affected, the BAe 146, is the one used in the Queen’s Flight by the Royal Family.”

In a series of Ministerial replies to Parliamentary Questions tabled by Lord Tyler, published today, Lord Davies of Oldham reveals that:

*   the Government is studying evidence supplied by the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) of health risks from pyrolised products in cabin air supplies.

*     the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is monitoring all reports of contaminated air incidents, and the Aviation Health Working Group is discussing advice to hospitals.

*       a EU Directive came in to force in July, transposed into a UK Air Navigation Order in August, which toughens up the reporting requirements for cabin air contamination.

*      the CAA has drafted new regulations to ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are installed in appropriate aircraft, to reflect worldwide experience of accidents and incidents.

*     the Government is examining evidence from BALPA relating to risks to unborn children from pyrolysis products from synthetic engine oils and hydraulic fluids in aircraft, identified at the Imperial College Conference, and will then decide what action is necessary to protect pregnant passengers.    

end

Notes:  

1    further information on previous exchanges on www.paultyler.libdems.org.uk and campaign news on www.aopis.org

2    Lords PQ answers Column WA51 numbered HL 1937 – 1942 published 7 November 2005.