Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
passenger perspectives on cabin air quality have been evaluated by Hocking (
2002
).
Accordingly, recommendations and suggestions were made for aircraft builders,
operators, and passengers. These recommendations were designed to help improve
aircraft cabin air quality, to improve the partial pressure of oxygen that is available
to passengers at minimal cost, and to enhance passenger comfort and decrease risk
of illness. Rayman, RB (
2002
) made recommendations on how the cabin air quality
issue may be resolved, whereas Thibeault (
2002
) argued in a review that airliner
cabin air quality was adequate and did not compromise the health of aircrews,
though this author acknowledged the need for further studies.
3.2
Harmful Effects of Aircraft Cabin Air
Air crew fatigue for those performing frequent and long lights has been linked to
effects from aircraft-related noise, temperature, cabin pressure, ventilation, atmo-
sphere quality, humidity, and jet lag, among other light characteristics (Fulton
1985
; Vieillefond et al.
1977
). Fulton (
1985
) addressed the effects of ventilation
adequacy, cigarette ires, and pilot health issues in aircraft cabins. Harding (
1994
)
acknowledged that the amounts of fresh air in aircraft cabins may be marginal, but
there was nonetheless suficient oxygen for human consumption. The concentration
of microorganisms in airline cabin air was found to be much lower than concentra-
tions in ordinary city locations (Wick and Irvine
1995
). Hence, it was concluded
that the small number of microorganisms found in US airliner cabin environments
does not contribute to the risk of disease transmission among passengers.
In a 1997 study of Airbus aircraft (Dechow et al.
1997
), the number of particles
in cabin air was compared with those found in fresh air and recirculated air. In addi-
tion, levels of microbiological contamination and volatile organic compounds were
investigated in cabin air. Results indicated that particles were mainly emitted by
passengers, especially smokers, and particle counts in recirculated air were lower or
equal to those occurring in fresh air. By contrast, bacterial counts in the aircraft
cabin exceeded those in fresh air. The detected microbes were mainly nonpatho-
genic and the concentrations of volatile organic compounds were well below thresh-
old values. Modern high-eficiency particulate air (HEPA)-ilters are used in aircraft
and minimize the accumulation of bacteria and viruses in recirculated cabin air.
Such HEPA iltration in aircraft signiicantly reduces the overall risk of acquiring
infectious diseases, compared with other means of transportation (Bergau
1999
).
The issue of the lying itness of patients, who have infections, has also been
addressed (Haditsch
2002
). Aircraft that carry both cargo and passengers have been
implicated in disease transmission, since they may transport humans, along with
mosquitoes or other insect disease vectors, and animals (DeHart
2003
). Events of
tuberculosis and inluenza transmission to other travelers have been reported, and
the vectors of yellow fever, malaria, and dengue have been identiied on aircraft.
However, studies of the ventilation systems and patient outcomes suggest that the
spread of pathogens rarely occurs during lights (Leder and Newman
2005
).
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