AOPIS (
www.aopis.org ) is a non profit trust run by air crews from around the world set up by the Australian Pilot Union, AFAP.
We have just completed the making of a 50 minute hard hitting, shocking, but completely factual documentary on the serious health & safety issues associated with breathing contaminated aircraft air.
To order a copy or to get more info go to:
http://www.aopis.org/documentaryrelease.html
Otherwise learn more here......
The documentary was made so as to raise awareness, seek change in industry practices & ensure further research is undertaken into the medical & scientific effects. All proceeds after the limited production costs will be put into research & raising awareness of the issue.
The documentary has the unique input of most of the key players in this issue such as scientists, doctors, politicians but also for the first time many crews speaking out.
Oil lubricants leaking from aircraft engines and APU’s into bleed air systems has remained an inadequately addressed problem for over 25 years and appears to have been first highlighted in 1953. The oils (notably Mobil Jet Oil II) are known to contain a range of hazardous and toxic substances including neurotoxins, organophosphates (OPs), sensitisers and carcinogens with most being ignored or in the cases of the OPs underestimated up to 30,000 times in terms of toxicity.
Industry has accepted crews and passengers being exposed to contaminated air whilst knowing it has failed to review the worrying synergistic effects of the ingredients which are heated to high temperatures, at altitude, under reduced atmospheric pressures. Neither does it look at the effect of long term low dose OP exposure and its effects.
The Mobil Jet Oil II safety label states that "...prolonged or repeated breathing of oil mist, or prolonged or repeated skin contact can cause nervous system disorders". Industry has been well aware that crews were being exposed to contaminated air from at least 1977, yet insists that inhalation of these fumes, is only a comfort issue, with no long-term health effects possible. The oil manufacturer admits that while oil leakage is an abnormal condition, it is not unsafe.
Recent medical research has shown that long term repeated exposure to low levels of OPs will cause brain cell death.
The aviation industry has disregarded its own ventilation airworthiness regulations, which are required to be met at all times in order for safe flight, yet at the same time there is extensive industry documentation going back to at least the early 1980's showing that air supply contamination has been all but ignored and crews and passengers not adequately protected. Industry has continued to state this is just a health issue with no long-term effects and certainly no effects on air safety. Some parts of industry is now acknowledging that oil and fumes entering the flight deck and cabin air although previously treated as a nuisance, must now be treated as a potential safety of flight issue.
The aviation industry has insisted that inhalation of these fumes, is only a comfort issue, with no long-term health effects possible. However, many exposed crews and passengers (some having breathed contaminated air for years) suffer from repeated short-term symptoms or become ill long-term with little, if any, recovery and in some cases pilots have lost their medical certificates required to fly. The range of symptoms in airline crews and passengers include heart problems, lung disorders, neurological & neurobehavioural disorders, sensitivity to chemicals, permanent head pressure, headaches, fatigue, weakness, upper respiratory irritations, gastro-intestinal problems, autonomic dysfunction, etc. Recent testing in crew has shown neurological autonomic abnormalities which are considered consistent with those seen in farmers exposed to OPs in sheep dips, while the CAA in the UK has failed a pilot's medical linking it to repeated chemical exposure in the aircraft and possibly linked to OPs.
If the crew performance is impaired there are obvious safety implications for all those on board.
While certain types of aircraft are known to experience greater problems than others, the problem of air supply contamination is in fact a global one of aircraft design and maintenance and affects numerous aircraft types such as the BAe 146, B757, A320 & MD80. The health & safety implications remain the same for each exposure.
All revenue raised from the documentary will go into a trust that has been set up by the Australian Pilot Union, AFAP after production costs have been cleared, then all money will be put into research and education.
The documentary runs for 50 minutes and covers the following areas - not in order:
Initial effects of exposure
3D graphics of aircraft air systems & air contamination process
Crew short and long-term symptoms being experienced
What the medical and scientific experts are finding
What industry has to say
What ingredients in the oils are of concern
What regulations are being broken
How long has this been known
What do the crews and unions have to say
How often does this happen
Legal view
Health & safety issues to crews and passengers
The future
Australian Senate Inquiry, other Gov Inquiries & the cover-ups
The scientific and medical level is geared for general public release and is suitable for the public with no aviation background.
To contact us email:
[email protected]