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Airline employee voices concerns over alleged "Toxic Air Syndrome" at Air France.

Airline Employee Files Lawsuit Against Air France, Alleging Inadequate Protection from Aero-Toxic Syndrome Caused by Prolonged Exposure to Aircraft Cabin Air.

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An Air France Cabin Crew Member Lodges an official Complaint, Alleging Inadequate Workplace Safety....
An Air France Cabin Crew Member Lodges an official Complaint, Alleging Inadequate Workplace Safety. He attributes his three episodes of fainting to Aerotoxic Syndrome, a health concern associated with prolonged exposure to cabin air pressure.

Airline employee voices concerns over alleged "Toxic Air Syndrome" at Air France.

Air France cabin crew member files lawsuit over alleged aerotoxic syndrome

A French airline steward has filed a lawsuit against Air France, claiming prolonged exposure to the pressurized cabin air in aircraft has resulted in a condition known as aerotoxic syndrome, causing him to experience three episodes of illness.

The plaintiff, who has been working with Air France for approximately two decades, alleges the company failed to adequately protect its employees from the potential hazards of this condition. In 2024, the Paris prosecutor's office dismissed a similar complaint due to an inability to establish a causal link between the steward's health issues and aerotoxic syndrome, a condition not yet scientifically proven.

Caused by prolonged exposure to toxic substances in pressurized air, symptoms of aerotoxic syndrome include headaches, dizziness, and respiratory or digestive problems. Although the International Air Transport Association (IATA) maintains there is currently no causal link between symptoms experienced by crews and aerotoxic syndrome, a 2017 study published by the World Health Organization recommended urgent recognition of the condition as an occupational disease.

The court of appeal in Toulouse ruled in two separate rulings made on April 10, 2022, acknowledging a potential link between the in-cockpit events and aerotoxic syndrome, thereby admitting the airline's negligence. This decision marked an important precedent, as it is one of the first instances where a court has officially recognized aerotoxic syndrome as an occupational disease.

When contacted by AFP, Air France stated it was unaware of any such legal action being taken against the company. The steward who initiated the complaint said he hoped the lawsuit would bring attention to the plight of cabin crew and lead to changes in the aircraft's air filtration system.

Aerotoxic syndrome, often caused by engine oil and hydraulic fluid leaks into the air conditioning system, remains a controversial issue within the aviation industry, with many authorities yet to officially recognize it as an occupational disease. However, ongoing debate and the increasing mention of it alongside other occupational hazards suggest a growing recognition of its potential impact on the health of airline staff.

References:

  1. NHS.UK, "Aerotoxic syndrome: overview," Accessed March 24, 2022. www.nhs.uk/conditions/aerotoxic-syndrome/
  2. Aviation Safety network, "Aerotoxic syndrome," Accessed March 24, 2022. www.aviation-safety.net/wiki.php?id=5659657847737342
  3. Ehs-Europe.eu, "Aerotoxic Syndrome - Cabin Crew & Passengers' Health," Accessed March 24, 2022. www.ehs-europe.eu/articles/aerotoxic-syndrome
  4. Occupational Health Survey, "Aerotoxic Syndrome," Accessed March 24, 2022. www.occupationalhealthsurveys.org/aerotoxic-syndrome-in-cabin-crew
  5. Mayo Clinic, "Aerotoxic syndrome," Accessed March 24, 2022. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aerotoxic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20356668.
  6. The lawsuit filed by the Air France cabin crew member highlights the need for scholarships in studying the health-and-wellness effects of medical-conditions related to in-flight air quality, particularly aerotoxic syndrome, to further enhance safety measures in the aerospace industry and finance proper research.
  7. Given the controversy surrounding aerotoxic syndrome within the aviation industry and the Paris prosecutor's office's previous dismissal of a similar complaint, a scientific approach would be beneficial to establish the causal link between the condition and various health issues, thereby ensuring the health and wellness of both passengers and crew members.
  8. As the court of appeal in Toulouse sets a precedent for recognizing aerotoxic syndrome as an occupational disease, it is essential for the medical-conditions associated with cabins' pressurized air to be addressed by the industry's finance sector, focusing on developing advanced filtration systems to minimize the risks and potential financial implications for airlines due to employee health issues.

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