Aviation Health Working Group minutes: 17 January 2003

Print Print page   Download PDF PDF image

Aviation Health Working Group Meeting

17 January 2003, Great Minster House, London SW1P

Present

   

Chair

Michael Smethers

DfT/MLD

Secretary

Michael Lee

DfT/MLD
 

Philip Stables

DfT/MLD
 

Dr Bill Maton-Howarth

DH
 

Tom Hamilton

CAA/SRG
 

Dr Simon Janvrin

CAA/SRG
 

Steve James

CAA/SRG
 

Graeme Henderson

HSE
 

Roger Wiltshire

BATA
 

Nigel Dowdall

BATA
 

Sandy Mitchell

BALPA
 

Peter North

BAR UK
 

Simon Evans

AUC
 

Bruce D'Ancey

BALPA
 

Dr Earle Perera

BRE
 

George Blundell-Pound

JMC Airlines

Item 1: Minutes of the previous inclusive meeting (16 October 2002)

  1. The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as an accurate record.

Item 2: Chair's introductory remarks

  1. The Chair introduced Philip Stables, who had recently joined DfT / MLD3.
  2. The Chair reported that the profile of aviation health over the last few months had remained relatively calm, despite the December High Court ruling on the DVT group claim against the airlines. The Chair added that John Spellar met with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Travel Related DVT on 20 November 2002. The All Party Group had subsequently requested, via David Jamieson's office, to attend a AHWG meeting. The Chair confirmed that the Group would be invited to attend the next Exclusive meeting on 14 March.
  3. The Chair indicated that ECAC had discussed aviation health at the DGCA meeting in November, led by the French Chief Medical Officer, Dr Auffret. The Chair added that DGCAs had endorsed the conclusions of the ECAC Symposium on Selected Aspects of Passenger Health in Air Travel, held in Dubrovnik (October 2002), and approved the establishment of an ECAC Working Group.

Item 3: Research

Cabin Air

  1. Bill Maton-Howarth reported that the CabinAir study was underway, aided by excellent collaboration with industry. The final report is expected at the end of March. Dr Perera confirmed that the series of BAe146 flights would conclude during the week commencing 27 January.
  2. Bill Maton-Howarth added that BRE were planning a conference in October, which would focus on the CabinAir study, and wider aviation health issues. BRE had requested that DfT / DoH endorse the conference.

Action: The Chair asked Bill Maton-Howarth to inform BRE that whilst it would not be possible for the Department to endorse ("badge") the conference formally, he would investigate whether the Department might signal its association in some way.

BRE presentation

  1. Dr Perera's presentation focused on the research work on cabin environments proposed or underway in the UK, Europe and the United States. The key messages were:
  • The CabinAir study will lead to a European air quality and cabin environment Prestandard by the end of this year, and provide a clear map of the current level of air quality found in aircraft cabins.
  • There are several upcoming EC initiatives this year, including a AECMA / CabinAir meeting in February to discuss the Prestandard, the ECAC Working Group on passenger health in air travel in March, and the CabinAir Conference 16 / 17 October.
  • The ASHRAE 3-year cabin air research project has not yet commenced.
  1. Following the presentation, Dr Perera provided more detail on the BRE Conference. Though timed to coincide with the results of the CabinAir study, the conference will focus on general aviation health issues. The Conference will not be targeted towards a purely scientific audience, but will cover technical and practical aspects of airline operations.

Action: The Chair asked Bill Maton-Howarth to act as focal point with BRE on the conference on behalf of the AHWG.

WHO Study

  1. In the absence of Peter Smith, Bill Maton-Howarth reported that contracts with the Universities and Commission were in place, and the study had begun. WHO has arranged a Scientific Steering Group Committee meeting for 17 March in Geneva. Both Peter Smith and Bill Maton-Howarth will attend. The Chair added that Frits Rosendaal had indicated that earlier resistance on the part of IATA and individual airlines had been largely overcome.

Item 4: House of Lord's Recommendations - BATA report on progress

  1. On paragraph 1.32, suitable ventilation for aircraft held for long periods on the ground, it was agreed that further consideration was required. The Chair suggested that the new Aviation Health Unit might wish to take this on board.
  2. On ozone converters, (paragraph 1.29), Roger Wiltshire confirmed that all new Airbus aircraft, and some of the newest Boeing deliveries, have converters fitted. Sandy Mitchell pointed out that some charter airlines operate older Boeing 757's on long haul routes, and these aircraft may not have converters.

Action: George Blundell-Pound agreed to establish the scale of charter long haul (over 6 hours) 757 flying.

  1. On ground based expert medical advisers, (paragraph 1.42), Roger Wiltshire confirmed that all of the UK long haul fleet had contracts with one of the service providers.

Item 5: Possible Research on Effectiveness of Health Information

  1. The Chair reminded the group of an action point from AHWG#14 where the CAA and DH were asked to explore whether supplementing an existing data collection exercise to carry out a study was feasible. Unfortunately no suitable research vehicle had been identified.
  2. Bill Maton-Howarth reported that DH had invited Research Works Limited (RSL) to submit an initial draft document for research to evaluate the public perception of the risk of DVT and awareness and use of information sources relating to DVT. The research, costing £20K - £25K was expected to take 2/3 months. BATA agreed it was reasonable that they provide a 50% contribution towards funding.

Action: Bill Maton-Howarth agreed to ask RSL to provide a more detailed proposal in time for consideration at the next AHWG Research Sub Group meeting.

Item 6: CAA Aviation Health Unit

  1. The Chair reported that Ministers had approved the new Aviation Health Unit. In order to ensure that the Unit would be able to carry out all the activities envisaged, and specifically to recover its costs from industry, it would be necessary to give the CAA statutory functions (with regards to aviation health), by means of primary legislation. DfT would provide funding in the interim period until an opportunity for legislation was found.
  2. Simon Janvrin provided a snapshot of the Unit, which would be headed by a full time senior medic with experience of dealing with airlines. Though not required immediately, a 'nurse style' advisor, and an administration assistant would also serve the unit. Based at Gatwick, the Unit would be close to the medical team, and might be the principal CAA representative body at future AHWGs.
  3. The Chair asked the group to treat this information as restricted. DfT will issue a press notice in due course.

Item 7: Cosmic Radiation

  1. The Chair invited BATA provide an update on efforts to involve BA and Virgin in drawing frequent flyer's attention to material on cosmic radiation. Nigel Dowdall informed the group that any initial enthusiasm from the airlines had evaporated. Nigel agreed to continue with his efforts, but the Chair suggested that the new health unit might wish to pick this up.

Item 8: AOB

  1. Graeme Henderson advised that the 3rd part of the Physical Agents Directive (Electromagnetic Frequency and Waves) is expected to be discussed under the Greek EU Presidency.

Action: Graeme Henderson agreed to provide contacts for BALPA and BATA colleagues.

  1. Tom Hamilton drew the group's attention to Dr Tony Evans' presentation at the ECAC Working Group on passenger health in air travel in March, and requested examples of health information provided by airlines.

Action: Roger Wiltshire agreed to source relevant information.

  1. Nigel Dowdall informed the group of a recent newspaper article by Farrol Kahn on the health of frequent flyers.

Action: Nigel Dowdall agreed to provide this article to the Group. Achieved.

  1. Peter North reported on the first Scholl newsletter on DVT that mentions the House of Lords Inquiry into Air Travel and Health.

Action: Peter North agrees to provide this to the Group. Achieved.

Item 9: Dates of next meetings

  1. The next Inclusive meeting is scheduled for 16 May at 10:30 am.

MLD3
January 2003