I have noticed that many flight crew (and passengers) suffer bouts of sneezing and sinusitis after a relatively short period of exposure to conditioned cabin air.(Not specific to 146, but almost any type)
Could there be a general problem of cabin contamination; that is to say, are the normal lubricants that manage to seep into the aircon system irritants in their own right.
We have all observed the "oily" smell that results from a rapid increase in duct temperature as it boils off all the seepage lubricants that have deposited in the ducts.(From both engines and aircycle machines)
Perhaps the lubricants should be tested so that when the inevitable seepage takes place, at least it is not toxic/irritating. I believe organophosphates are powerful nerve poisons, and are used to kill insect pests, what are they doing in lubricants that can get into cabin conditioned air?
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lost in hold.
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[This message has been edited by ClearDirect (edited 22 April 2001).]