GCAQE NewsletterS
GCAQE Special Newsletter
Air Quality Standards
15 December 2019
SETTING A STANDARD FOR THE QUALITY OF THE AIR YOUR BREATHE ONBOARD AIRCRAFT
Setting a standard for the quality of the air you breathe on aircraft has been something unions and air crew associations have been working on for nearly 2 decades.
I would like to give you an update on the incredible work of Dr Susan Michaelis, Judith Anderson (former GCAQE Co-Chairman), Arie Adriaensen, Stéphane Pasqualini, the GCAQE and so many others to list. Work everyone who works as crew needs to know about. Please read this.
Over 10 years ago, the US created through the ASHRAE SPC-161 committee a cabin air quality voluntary standard that all future aircraft should be built by. The AFA union did most of the work over many years. The final agreed standard called for bleed free systems or detection systems and was supported by crew unions and agreed by some in industry including Boeing. The Europeans not building bleed free aircraft did not like it, so decided not to abide by it and to start a new process.
The European aviation industry drafted 2 cabin air quality standards (CAQ) between 2005 and 2011 without any input from the workers or consumers. This was in response to the various inquiries on CAQ that took place in Australia, UK and US from 1999-2001 and the ASHRAE Standard 161, Air Quality Within Commercial Aircraft work being done.
Dr Susan Michaelis, Head of Research at the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE) became aware of this work using the European standards setting process in around 2009. She and the GCAQE realised the standards were extremely detrimental to crew and passengers health and safety. The GCAQE took the leading role to work together with ETF and ECA to get the standards cancelled using the European committee for standardisation (CEN) process with the 33 member state network voting system.
CEN suggested we start a new standard (Cabin air quality on civil aircraft-chemical agents) which would be more appropriate and involving the industry, workers, consumers and experts. This work commenced in 2014. It has been a long road, working with selected industry organisations, such as Airbus, Dassault, limited airline input and a strong worker input. The GCAQE and in particular Susan Michaelis has played a crucial role here and have strived hard to work closely with ECA, ETF and EurECCA to ensure the draft standard is good for us. While the standard (when passed) would be voluntary, it would provide information on CAQ, focus on supply air, recommend filtration of the bleed or non bleed air, sensors, education, training, reporting, health monitoring and much more. A number of the active countries have set up national mirror committees to follow the work being done at the CEN level. This is really important, as it is the National Standards Boards (NSB) in each country that votes at various stages along the way. While the GCAQE, ECA, ETF and EurECCA are all CEN liaison members are very active at the CEN level and involved individually in our national committees, we do not get to vote. It is the NSBs that vote in favour, abstain or against the standard. So we must influence the national committees.
The completed draft standard recently went out to vote under the CEN public inquiry process. The NSBs voted in favour of the standard, although many comments were submitted (over 1000). France and Germany voted against the standard (despite being involved in drafting it), likely due to strong aerospace industry influence. Many smaller countries abstained from voting. The comments will be addressed and then at some stage early to mid next year it will go to a final vote. We as workers must all influence our unions and associations, if not already involved, to get involved and influence their NSB that this standard is a really positive way forward. As an example, in the UK UNITE (under Martin Evans) has been actively involved under the continual leadership of Susan Michaelis along with the PPU, while BALPA has played no role and Rolls Royce is working actively against the standard. Overall the committee in the UK has been very positive and voted in favour of the standard. However, in Portugal and Iceland for example, the NSBs abstained as they said there was no active committee following this in their countries, however that is about to change in both countries which is great. Their NSBs have asked the worker organisations to help take part in a national committee, to follow the CEN work. We need this as the voting is weighted with the largest countries having a stronger vote, so with France and Germany saying no recently, this was a real issue for us as lots of smaller countries abstained. We must change this and use many small countries to vote positively to drown out the larger negative countries.
We need active participation in every EU country as there is a very strong industry lobby (IATA, Airlines for Europe/ America, Aerospace Defence industries Assoc of Europe (ASD)) working actively against the development of this standard. They have not contributed to the process, but now at the 11th hour are lobbying very hard to say the standard is not necessary- all is fine as is. This is NOT correct or appropriate, but they do this and we must drown out their lobby with worker input at each of the national bodies (NSBs) to say we want this standard, it will really make a difference and is what must happen, despite what the industry says.
Some people like Susan Michaelis and other GCAQE members work nearly every day of their lives on this issue to help make air travel safer but not every union is pro-active or as pro-active as their members deserve.
Please ensure your union/association is actively involved in your country. For over 50 years workers have been flying exposed to contaminated air with no warning systems fitted. Surely that's long enough?
Captain Tristan Loraine
GCAQE Spokesperson
GCAQE - Strength in numbers
The more GCAQE members there are the stronger we will be as a global organisation. Please encourage other unions/labour organisations to join us. For more details please email gcaqe@gcaqe.org
Air Quality Standards
15 December 2019
SETTING A STANDARD FOR THE QUALITY OF THE AIR YOUR BREATHE ONBOARD AIRCRAFT
Setting a standard for the quality of the air you breathe on aircraft has been something unions and air crew associations have been working on for nearly 2 decades.
I would like to give you an update on the incredible work of Dr Susan Michaelis, Judith Anderson (former GCAQE Co-Chairman), Arie Adriaensen, Stéphane Pasqualini, the GCAQE and so many others to list. Work everyone who works as crew needs to know about. Please read this.
Over 10 years ago, the US created through the ASHRAE SPC-161 committee a cabin air quality voluntary standard that all future aircraft should be built by. The AFA union did most of the work over many years. The final agreed standard called for bleed free systems or detection systems and was supported by crew unions and agreed by some in industry including Boeing. The Europeans not building bleed free aircraft did not like it, so decided not to abide by it and to start a new process.
The European aviation industry drafted 2 cabin air quality standards (CAQ) between 2005 and 2011 without any input from the workers or consumers. This was in response to the various inquiries on CAQ that took place in Australia, UK and US from 1999-2001 and the ASHRAE Standard 161, Air Quality Within Commercial Aircraft work being done.
Dr Susan Michaelis, Head of Research at the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE) became aware of this work using the European standards setting process in around 2009. She and the GCAQE realised the standards were extremely detrimental to crew and passengers health and safety. The GCAQE took the leading role to work together with ETF and ECA to get the standards cancelled using the European committee for standardisation (CEN) process with the 33 member state network voting system.
CEN suggested we start a new standard (Cabin air quality on civil aircraft-chemical agents) which would be more appropriate and involving the industry, workers, consumers and experts. This work commenced in 2014. It has been a long road, working with selected industry organisations, such as Airbus, Dassault, limited airline input and a strong worker input. The GCAQE and in particular Susan Michaelis has played a crucial role here and have strived hard to work closely with ECA, ETF and EurECCA to ensure the draft standard is good for us. While the standard (when passed) would be voluntary, it would provide information on CAQ, focus on supply air, recommend filtration of the bleed or non bleed air, sensors, education, training, reporting, health monitoring and much more. A number of the active countries have set up national mirror committees to follow the work being done at the CEN level. This is really important, as it is the National Standards Boards (NSB) in each country that votes at various stages along the way. While the GCAQE, ECA, ETF and EurECCA are all CEN liaison members are very active at the CEN level and involved individually in our national committees, we do not get to vote. It is the NSBs that vote in favour, abstain or against the standard. So we must influence the national committees.
The completed draft standard recently went out to vote under the CEN public inquiry process. The NSBs voted in favour of the standard, although many comments were submitted (over 1000). France and Germany voted against the standard (despite being involved in drafting it), likely due to strong aerospace industry influence. Many smaller countries abstained from voting. The comments will be addressed and then at some stage early to mid next year it will go to a final vote. We as workers must all influence our unions and associations, if not already involved, to get involved and influence their NSB that this standard is a really positive way forward. As an example, in the UK UNITE (under Martin Evans) has been actively involved under the continual leadership of Susan Michaelis along with the PPU, while BALPA has played no role and Rolls Royce is working actively against the standard. Overall the committee in the UK has been very positive and voted in favour of the standard. However, in Portugal and Iceland for example, the NSBs abstained as they said there was no active committee following this in their countries, however that is about to change in both countries which is great. Their NSBs have asked the worker organisations to help take part in a national committee, to follow the CEN work. We need this as the voting is weighted with the largest countries having a stronger vote, so with France and Germany saying no recently, this was a real issue for us as lots of smaller countries abstained. We must change this and use many small countries to vote positively to drown out the larger negative countries.
We need active participation in every EU country as there is a very strong industry lobby (IATA, Airlines for Europe/ America, Aerospace Defence industries Assoc of Europe (ASD)) working actively against the development of this standard. They have not contributed to the process, but now at the 11th hour are lobbying very hard to say the standard is not necessary- all is fine as is. This is NOT correct or appropriate, but they do this and we must drown out their lobby with worker input at each of the national bodies (NSBs) to say we want this standard, it will really make a difference and is what must happen, despite what the industry says.
Some people like Susan Michaelis and other GCAQE members work nearly every day of their lives on this issue to help make air travel safer but not every union is pro-active or as pro-active as their members deserve.
Please ensure your union/association is actively involved in your country. For over 50 years workers have been flying exposed to contaminated air with no warning systems fitted. Surely that's long enough?
Captain Tristan Loraine
GCAQE Spokesperson
GCAQE - Strength in numbers
The more GCAQE members there are the stronger we will be as a global organisation. Please encourage other unions/labour organisations to join us. For more details please email gcaqe@gcaqe.org
GCAQE Newsletter
1 December 2019
1. Cabin Air Quality Facebook Page.
2. Global Cabin Air Reporting System (GCARS)
3. 2017 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference Proceedings.
4. Furlong Blood Test Work.
5. Updated ventilation standard - EASA CS
6. TWU cabin air campaign
7. Oil Bearing Seal Failures
8. Dutch Engineering Union
9. France TV documentaries
10. Italian TV Short Documentary
11. Did you know? 1. Cabin Air Quality Facebook Page. A new Cabin Air Quality Facebook page has been set up a few weeks ago to help inform and educate your members. It already has over 2000 members. Can you please send out a newsletter to all your news members and tell them about it. You can find it at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/535803717005970/2. Global Cabin Air Reporting System (GCARS). The Global Cabin Air Reporting System (GCARS) tool has been further updated with new a new Privacy Policy and new GDPR. This reported system will soon be evaluated by a union before being released to all members next year. If you would like to test it in its current evaluation mode you can do so by going here: https://gcars.app/
This is an evaluation version and NOT to be made widely available to your members until the evaluation phase is complete.3. 2017 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference Proceedings. The updated final version of the conference proceedings are at last available on the Journal or health and pollution website. Please spread the word far and wide using this link: https://www.journalhealthpollution.org/doi/10.5696/2156-9614-9.24.1912014. Furlong Blood Test Work. Please can you all advise your members that they can individually make a donation to the Furlong blood test work as proving exposure is like an insurance policy if they are in fume events and also the best message to the industry to stop these exposures from happening. Please write something to your members using this information: Short 3 minute film explaining what is needed can be watched here. A more detailed film on the organophosphates (OPs) in the oils can be watched here: To donate crews simply donate via PayPal at: https://www.paypal.me/GCAQE or by donating to the email address: gcaqe@gcaqe.org5. Updated Ventilation Standard - EASA CS. EASA CS 25.831 and AMC 25.831 have been amended in Version 23 of the CS. The CS (p135) harmonises with the FAR language referring to 'sufficient amount of uncontaminated air', while the AMC (p597) has been extensively expanded, with the probable failure section referencing 'international cabin air quality standards’.6. TWU - Cabin Air Campaign. As you will know a cabin air quality bill has been introduced into the US congress, to then go through the various steps to try to see the bill passed. This has been led by members of the US Congress and Senate. GCAQE member, the TWU, has undertaken a cabin air quality campaign.
As part of this they have put out press releases showing the letters sent by two of the sponsors of the bill to Jetblue and the airline responses. The TWU further response can be found here.7. Oil Bearing Seal Failures. What might an oil bearing/seal failure look like? Media reports showed grey/white mist in the cabin along with an emergency evacuation that was subsequently said to be due to an engine bearing failure.
Articles available here:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/26/british-airways-plane-filled-smoke-has-had-two-fume-incidents
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/05/british-airways-flight-lands-spain-smoke-fills-cabin-fire-broke-out-valencia
In a similar manner a Hawaiian airlines aircraft, experienced similar smoke/mist and made an emergency evacuation after an acknowledged engine seal failure and can be seen here:
This gives you an idea of what a bearing or oil seal failure might look like.8. Dutch Engineering Union. It is interesting to note that the Dutch engineering union attended the conference and has subsequently published the following article. This issue is equally as relevant for them as it is for aircrew in our opinion. See: https://nvlt.org/how-to-deal-with-harmful-organophosphates-in-oil-and-skydroll-during-aircraft-maintenance/9. France TV - English version. A documentary was aired in France in mid 2018 on cabin air quality. An updated English version of this documentary was aired in November and can be seen here. 10. Italian TV Short Documentary. It would appear that this is one of the first Italian news clips (12 min documentary) on cabin air contamination.11. Did you know? A paper was written following an in-depth survey of nearly a 1000 flight attendants in the early 1980s confirming flight attendants were getting sick from oil fumes. You can find out more here.GCAQE - Strength in numbers
The more GCAQE members there are the stronger we will be as a global organisation. Please encourage other unions/labour organisations to join us. For more details please email gcaqe@gcaqe.org
1 December 2019
1. Cabin Air Quality Facebook Page.
2. Global Cabin Air Reporting System (GCARS)
3. 2017 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference Proceedings.
4. Furlong Blood Test Work.
5. Updated ventilation standard - EASA CS
6. TWU cabin air campaign
7. Oil Bearing Seal Failures
8. Dutch Engineering Union
9. France TV documentaries
10. Italian TV Short Documentary
11. Did you know? 1. Cabin Air Quality Facebook Page. A new Cabin Air Quality Facebook page has been set up a few weeks ago to help inform and educate your members. It already has over 2000 members. Can you please send out a newsletter to all your news members and tell them about it. You can find it at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/535803717005970/2. Global Cabin Air Reporting System (GCARS). The Global Cabin Air Reporting System (GCARS) tool has been further updated with new a new Privacy Policy and new GDPR. This reported system will soon be evaluated by a union before being released to all members next year. If you would like to test it in its current evaluation mode you can do so by going here: https://gcars.app/
This is an evaluation version and NOT to be made widely available to your members until the evaluation phase is complete.3. 2017 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference Proceedings. The updated final version of the conference proceedings are at last available on the Journal or health and pollution website. Please spread the word far and wide using this link: https://www.journalhealthpollution.org/doi/10.5696/2156-9614-9.24.1912014. Furlong Blood Test Work. Please can you all advise your members that they can individually make a donation to the Furlong blood test work as proving exposure is like an insurance policy if they are in fume events and also the best message to the industry to stop these exposures from happening. Please write something to your members using this information: Short 3 minute film explaining what is needed can be watched here. A more detailed film on the organophosphates (OPs) in the oils can be watched here: To donate crews simply donate via PayPal at: https://www.paypal.me/GCAQE or by donating to the email address: gcaqe@gcaqe.org5. Updated Ventilation Standard - EASA CS. EASA CS 25.831 and AMC 25.831 have been amended in Version 23 of the CS. The CS (p135) harmonises with the FAR language referring to 'sufficient amount of uncontaminated air', while the AMC (p597) has been extensively expanded, with the probable failure section referencing 'international cabin air quality standards’.6. TWU - Cabin Air Campaign. As you will know a cabin air quality bill has been introduced into the US congress, to then go through the various steps to try to see the bill passed. This has been led by members of the US Congress and Senate. GCAQE member, the TWU, has undertaken a cabin air quality campaign.
As part of this they have put out press releases showing the letters sent by two of the sponsors of the bill to Jetblue and the airline responses. The TWU further response can be found here.7. Oil Bearing Seal Failures. What might an oil bearing/seal failure look like? Media reports showed grey/white mist in the cabin along with an emergency evacuation that was subsequently said to be due to an engine bearing failure.
Articles available here:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/26/british-airways-plane-filled-smoke-has-had-two-fume-incidents
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/05/british-airways-flight-lands-spain-smoke-fills-cabin-fire-broke-out-valencia
In a similar manner a Hawaiian airlines aircraft, experienced similar smoke/mist and made an emergency evacuation after an acknowledged engine seal failure and can be seen here:
This gives you an idea of what a bearing or oil seal failure might look like.8. Dutch Engineering Union. It is interesting to note that the Dutch engineering union attended the conference and has subsequently published the following article. This issue is equally as relevant for them as it is for aircrew in our opinion. See: https://nvlt.org/how-to-deal-with-harmful-organophosphates-in-oil-and-skydroll-during-aircraft-maintenance/9. France TV - English version. A documentary was aired in France in mid 2018 on cabin air quality. An updated English version of this documentary was aired in November and can be seen here. 10. Italian TV Short Documentary. It would appear that this is one of the first Italian news clips (12 min documentary) on cabin air contamination.11. Did you know? A paper was written following an in-depth survey of nearly a 1000 flight attendants in the early 1980s confirming flight attendants were getting sick from oil fumes. You can find out more here.GCAQE - Strength in numbers
The more GCAQE members there are the stronger we will be as a global organisation. Please encourage other unions/labour organisations to join us. For more details please email gcaqe@gcaqe.org
Professor Clem Furlong
GCAQE Appeal
GCAQE Appeal
To donate crews simply donate via PayPal at:
https://www.paypal.me/GCAQE
or by donating to the email address:
gcaqe@gcaqe.org
https://www.paypal.me/GCAQE
or by donating to the email address:
gcaqe@gcaqe.org
If you have not read his letter seeking urgent support (sent in a previous email and GCAQE Newsletter) it is linked here for your convenience.
Your support us very much appreciated. Can you use a variety of ways to get the message out: email, website, newsletter, FB….. The letter is for your information & not for public dissemination of course.
Kind regards
Susan
Dr Susan Michaelis PhD, MSc, ATPL
Head of Research
Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE)
www.gcaqe.org
gcaqe@gcaqe.org
44 (0) 7880554551
Your support us very much appreciated. Can you use a variety of ways to get the message out: email, website, newsletter, FB….. The letter is for your information & not for public dissemination of course.
Kind regards
Susan
Dr Susan Michaelis PhD, MSc, ATPL
Head of Research
Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE)
www.gcaqe.org
gcaqe@gcaqe.org
44 (0) 7880554551
Tristan Loraine discusses
Contaminated Air and Flight Safety (videos)
Contaminated Air and Flight Safety (videos)
Tristan Loraine discusses
Contaminated Air and Flight Safety
Contaminated Air and Flight Safety
DOCUMENTARY ‘EVERYBODY FLIES’ THAT EXPOSES THE CONTAMINATED AIR
WE BREATHE ON AIRCRAFT SET TO PREMIERE AT RAINDANCE
WE BREATHE ON AIRCRAFT SET TO PREMIERE AT RAINDANCE
Captain Tristan Loraine BCAi, ATPL – Captain Loraine, a former British Airways pilot has been involved in research in the field of aircraft contaminated air since 2001. He has been involved at a global level working with industry and workers to try ensure solutions are implemented.
Lesley Williams speaks about contaminated air in aircraft 1991-1997
Reporter: Tara Brown ~ Producer: Gareth Harvey
60 Minutes AU ~ “Toxic Flyer”
60 Minutes AU ~ “Toxic Flyer”
Capt. Tristan Loraine - British Citizen Awards Jan 2015
AIRCRAFT CABIN AIR
International Conference 2019
International Conference 2019
Aircraft Cabin Air Conference 2019
Presentation Films
rent or purchase
note: FumeEvents.com does NOT receive revenue from the Presentation Films
Presentation Films
rent or purchase
note: FumeEvents.com does NOT receive revenue from the Presentation Films
Following on from the success of the 2017 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference, the 2019 conference will be an essential two-day event. Providing excellent networking opportunities for those seeking to understand the subject of contaminated air, the flight safety implications, the latest scientific and medical evidence investigating the contaminated air debate and the solutions available to airlines and aircraft operators.
This international conference mapping the business, regulatory and technical solutions to cabin air contamination, will be the most in-depth conference ever held on this topic.
Who should attend?
- Safety equipment providers
- Health & Safety Regulators
- Maintenance Companies
- Airline Safety Departments
- Air Accident Investigators
- Crew & Unions
- Policy Makers
- Press & Media
- Airline Management
- Aircraft Manufacturers
- Aircraft Insurers
- Leasing Companies
- Scientists
- Occupational Health Professionals
- Academics & Researchers
- Engineers
This international conference mapping the business, regulatory and technical solutions to cabin air contamination, will be the most in-depth conference ever held on this topic.
Who should attend?
- Safety equipment providers
- Health & Safety Regulators
- Maintenance Companies
- Airline Safety Departments
- Air Accident Investigators
- Crew & Unions
- Policy Makers
- Press & Media
- Airline Management
- Aircraft Manufacturers
- Aircraft Insurers
- Leasing Companies
- Scientists
- Occupational Health Professionals
- Academics & Researchers
- Engineers
As the holiday travel season approaches, there is a danger airline passengers should be aware of: cabin air can get contaminated and make you sick. Susie Steimle reports. (11-15-18)
The Aerotoxic Association
The association is run by a group of aircrew whose careers have ended prematurely due to Aerotoxic Syndrome,
and we now want to help similarly affected aircrew and passengers.
The association is run by a group of aircrew whose careers have ended prematurely due to Aerotoxic Syndrome,
and we now want to help similarly affected aircrew and passengers.
FumeEvents.com is a member and supporter of AeroToxic.org
GCAQE Head of Research
Dr. Susan Michaelis PhD, ATPL – Former Australian pilot with over 5000 hours flying experience. She holds a PhD (2010) in ‘Safety Sciences’ from UNSW in Sydney entitled ‘Health and Flight Safety Implications From Exposure to Contaminated Air in Aircraft.‘ In 2016 she was awarded an MSc in air safety and accident investigation from Cranfield University (UK) with a thesis addressing the mechanisms involving oil leakage into aircraft air supplies. She is a qualified air accident investigator and a visiting researcher at the University of Stirling in the UK and an independent consultant in areas addressing safety and OHS in the workplace. She has an internationally renown track record in this field stretching back over 20 years.
Dr. Susan Michaelis PhD, ATPL – Former Australian pilot with over 5000 hours flying experience. She holds a PhD (2010) in ‘Safety Sciences’ from UNSW in Sydney entitled ‘Health and Flight Safety Implications From Exposure to Contaminated Air in Aircraft.‘ In 2016 she was awarded an MSc in air safety and accident investigation from Cranfield University (UK) with a thesis addressing the mechanisms involving oil leakage into aircraft air supplies. She is a qualified air accident investigator and a visiting researcher at the University of Stirling in the UK and an independent consultant in areas addressing safety and OHS in the workplace. She has an internationally renown track record in this field stretching back over 20 years.
Were Fumes The Blame For 2 BA Pilots Deaths?
Updated as of 2015 text to speech
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Up in the Air:
New Worries About
‘Fume Events’ on Planes
New Worries About
‘Fume Events’ on Planes
The WallStreet
Journal Article
Occupational Health Research Consortium in Aviation
www.ohrca.org
www.ohrca.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/finalreport.pdf
www.ohrca.org
www.ohrca.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/finalreport.pdf
Medical Whistle Blower
Radio Show
with Dr. Janet Parker
Radio Show
with Dr. Janet Parker
The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS)
is a safety reporting system for the aviation industry.
is a safety reporting system for the aviation industry.
