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CABIN AIR QUALITY

In the aircraft cabin, you can be exposed to all kinds of airborne chemicals, including fumes from engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and fuel, as well as engine exhaust, deicing fluid, and electrical smoke. The most toxic of these exposures are oil or hydraulic fluid TCP fumes that sometimes contaminate the cabin and flight deck ventilation air. Sometimes the symptoms caused by exposure to oil/hydraulic fumes are very serious and long-lasting, including memory loss, fatigue, tingling in the hands and feet, headaches, breathing difficulties, and muscle pain. Other times, the symptoms may be less serious and last for a few days or weeks, but are still unpleasant and may put you at risk of more serious symptoms if you are exposed again. It is especially important to limit your exposure to oil and hydraulic fumes because the fumes are highly toxic.
Notify your AFA Health and Safety Committee if exposure is suspected at http://spiritAFA.com/support.

UNSAFE CABIN TEMPERATURES

ASHRE and Airbus Manufacture Aircraft Cabin Temperature
Operating Guidelines:


Parameter Acceptable Target operative temperature range for Airbus aircraft, in-flight and ground operations: 65°F to75F (18.3°C to 23.9°(') Operative temperature in flight shall not exceed a maximum 80°F (26.7vC), Cabin Temperature Operative temperature during ground operations shall not exceed maximum 80°F to ensure health and safety of cabin. Please document all boardings over 78°F at http://spiritAFA.com/support.

DIRTY CABIN AIR, CLOGGED VENTS / HEPA FILTERS

World Health Organization and Airbus Manufacture Guidelines:

Regarding poorly maintained aircraft filters with health and disease risks for airline passengers and flight crew members. A 2001 Congressional report by the National Academies' National Research Council found that poor air quality in airplane cabins could cause a wide range of health problems, including skin irritations and respiratory problems among travelers and crew. On most modern aircraft, the air passes through high-efficiency particulate air (HePA) filters before re-entering the passenger cabin. The most efficient HePA filters will capture 99.97% of particles between 0.1 and 0.3 μm and 100% of the other particles when maintained properly. The tubercle bacillus is approximately 0.2–0.5 μm wide and 2–5 μm in length. Properly-functioning and maintained HePA filters therefore remove any M. tuberculosis organisms as well as other various bacteria, germs, contaminants and health risks for passengers and crew. bacteria, fungi and viruses from the recirculated air, thereby eliminating the risk of exposure for passengers and crew. Airbus Aircraft Manufacture Recommended HEPA Filter Service Replacement at C-Check every (min 6000 flight hrs.)
Please document all respiratory issues and clogged vents in Lav at http://spiritafa.com/support

Todd Paulk
AFA-CWA
Local 78 Health and Safety Committee
tpaulk@spiritafa.com

 

   

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