Aerotoxic Syndrome


General Unite union is pursuing legal action against a number of UK airlines after cabin crew were exposed to toxic cabin air while working aboard aircraft. In January 2016, two passenger planes were forced to turn around after a number of cabin crew were suddenly taken ill. There has been increasing concern over cabin air safety and ‘aerotoxic syndrome’, a condition arising from exposure to contaminated air which affects the peripheral nervous system and the brain. Unite has called for a public inquiry and MPs are set to debate the issue in parliament this year.

The union has produced a factsheet on the syndrome which can be downloaded from its website (www.unitetheunion.org/uploaded/documents/Aerotoxic%20Syndrome%20Fact%20Sheet11-23329.pdf).