Aviation Health Working Group minutes: 10 September 2007

Present

 

Chair	Sandra Webber	DfT	SW
	Andrew Ashbourne	DfT	AA
	Abimbola Alli	DfT	BA
	Ursula Wells	DoH	UW
	Cliff Barrow	CAA/SRG	CB
	Tim Williams	CAA	TW
	Dr Mark Popplestone	Virgin/BATA	MP
	Dr Tim Bamber	BALPA	TB
	Dr Tony Goodwin	BALPA/AMS	TG
	James Fremantle	AUC	JF
	George Blundell-Pound	Thomas Cook	GBS
	Roger Wiltshire	BATA	RW
	Nigel Dowdall	BA	ND
	Nikki Jones	TGWU	NJ
Secretariat	Jason Richardson	DfT	JR
Apologies	Ray Johnston	CAA
	Mike Carrivick	Bar-UK
	Helen Bennett	CAA

Item 1: Introductions

1.0  The Chair opened the meeting and thanked everyone for attending.

Item 2: Minutes of previous meeting (23rd April 2007)

2.0  Item 6.3 - The Chair advised that the Society of British Aerospace Companies had been invited to join the AHWG. They were unable to attend today's meeting, but would send a representative to future meetings.

2.1  Item 6.7 - FAQ's for Department's website still needed to be drafted.

Item 3: Update on CAA Aviation Health Unit (AHU)

3.0  TW gave a précis of the work of the AHU since the last meeting

3.1  A brief discussion took place about the provision of toilets on planes. It was confirmed by TB that toilets were not part of the Minimum Equipment List (MEL). The group acknowledged that irrespective of the requirements, potential health implications could arise if toilets were taken out of service during flights. Anecdotal figures from airlines suggest that 35-40 passengers per toilet is considered acceptable ratio. This figure may be slighter higher for short haul flights.

3.2  It was agreed that more research would need to be undertaken, with the consideration given to producing a general standard or some guidelines for the provision of toilets on planes for airlines. The group agreed to forward to the AHU any guidance they currently have from operators on numbers of toilets considered as acceptable to fly with.

Item 4: Update on House of Lords Select Committee on Air Travel and Health

4.0  AA informed the group that the final evidence session of the House of Lords Select Committee on Air Travel and Health took place on the 17 July. The Minister for Aviation, Jim Fitzpatrick and Dawn Primarolo, Minister of State for Public Health, both gave evidence. The general impression was that the session had gone quite well.

4.1  The final report and recommendations are expected to be published by the end of October or early November. A Government response would be expected six weeks after the reports publication.

4.2  A list of possible questions presented by the Committee for the final session was circulated. The unrevised minutes of the evidence session can be found on the House of Lords Select Committee Publications webpage at the following address www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/lduncorr/s&t170707ev3.pdf

Item 5: Update on Progress of Committee On Toxicity (COT)

5.0  The Chair advised that the final COT report was due later this month (September). A draft report had been produced at the COT meeting in July. The report had taken into account and reviewed many studies on air crew health including research references. It also analysed databases from BALPA, CAA and various airlines.

5.1  Early consideration of the draft report indicates that research into smoke/fume events in aircraft is a complicated issue. The evidence so far available is inconclusive and cannot confirm a causal link between health concerns and cabin air events. The long term effects (if any) also remained inconclusive.

5.2  Suggestions for further work revolve around three questions: first, research to determine substances released during fume events and monitoring to capture all contaminants; second, consider whether any contaminants found could lead to respiratory or visual irritation; third, consider whether any contaminants found could lead to chronic health effects.

Item 6: Update on cabin air functionality test.

6.0  The Chair confirmed that the planned functionality tests had taken place using the equipment recommended by the COT plus additional devices. The aim of the test was to determine the robustness of the different devices for capturing a fume event.

6.1  During the first test, on a BAe 146, a number of readings were taken: background in the hanger; on plane with engines switched off; with engines switched on, and finally with a chemical artificially introduced to simulate a fume event. The objective was to see if the devices could successfully 'capture' any of the chemicals released into the cabin.

6.2  The second observation was to test the devices in-flight, and took place on a BAe 757 aircraft. It was reported that during take-off, an actual fume event took place and some samples were captured by the project team. The data is being anaylsed.

6.3  A report of the two tests will be completed shortly, following which the AHWG sub-group would meet to review the results. A further meeting would also be scheduled with those airlines that have shown an interest in participating in further research.

6.4  A short discussion took place on the causes of fume events. It was suggested that some pilots thought fume events could be generated by applying full throttle acceleration in ascent or angle of take off. Suggestions of oil overfill were also put forward as a contributory reason for fume events.

Item 7: Revised Fume Protocol (led by Dr. Tony Goodwin)

7.0  TG presented the group with a revised version of the Fume Protocol to in response to the comments that were received from the last meeting.

7.1  A general discussion took place and it was suggested that a prescribed 12 hours rest, seemed inflexible to the pilot's actual fitness to operate. It was also pointed out that a place to record initial symptoms and after effects could be helpful. Further suggestions were for a box to indicate whether the pilot/cabin crew had informed the airline. This would assist in developing a clearer picture of the reporting of fume events in particular, the suggestion that fume events were being under reported.

Item 8: AOB (including Gender Directive)

8.0  AA thanked ND for his response to the Gender Directive consultation. The consultation closed on the 4 September, it had been agreed that a joint response under the auspices of the trade associations be submitted to DCLG. The Directive will be transposed into UK law by end of 2007.

8.1  TG raised the issue of cabin altitude and the prospect of press interest. This is in response to the announcement by Boeing that their 787 'Dreamliner' will have the cabin air pressure limited to the equivalent of 6,000 feet as opposed to the present 8,000 feet. The chair felt this was being discussed in the ICE research. It was suggested that a detailed update on the ICE project may be worthwhile.

8.2  UW suggested that the cabin air study undergo independent peer review after completion. The Chair agreed that this should be considered.

Item 9: Date of Next AHWG Meeting

9.0  Monday 14 January 2008 in Great Minster House.

CAD 04 October 2007