Woaaa,
NJS have been conducting an extensive examination of the air contamination problem for quite some time. As a major operator of this type of A/C it is obviously in their best interest to do so.
Currently all A/C which under go heavy maintanance have their engine seals replaced, whether they are faulty or not.A contamination schedule is placed in all A/C, the objective being to isolate the contamination source. Crews are REQUIRED to fill out this schedule should air contamination be detected. Once the source has been isolated the A/C is grounded untill the offending seal is replaced. This procedure has greatly reduced the incidence of air contamination and it is now a rare event.
What else can be done? Only three things spring to mind.. .1.RE-ENGINE THE FLEET.As yet the manufacturer of the 146 has not come up with a replacement engine.This would require extensive re-engineering of the existing A/C. The 146 is an ageing, out of production type so this is unlikely to happen.. .2. REPLACE THE ENTIRE FLEET.Firstly an A/C must be found which complies with the requirements of the client.NJS have done major research in this area. Unfortunately there are very few A/C in production which match the 146 in terms of seating capacity, weight, range and efficiency. The 717 immediately comes to mind but has been deemed unsuitable, I think due to it's high operating weight and lack of range. Other A/C have been examined. These include the RJX,probably the most suitable, however production has ceased due to the events of Sept 11th.And a Dornier and an Embraea prototype. Either of which MAY be compatible with the operation although untill they are up and running and take to the air, details will not be known. . .So in the short term, even if they could convince Qantas of the urgent need of fleet replacement,and come up with the necessary funding for training etc, they are stuck with the 146.. .3.SHUT SHOP.Obviously an undesirable choice.
It would appear to me that those people unfortunate enough to suffer from chemical intolerance, should not pursue a career in aviation.You will not find them within the mechanical or engineering fraternity because they cannot tolerate the job. Similarly people whom are squimish and faint at the sight of blood, do not become surgeons.The aviation industry has been predudiced against those with mild colour vision deficiencies since flying began. I could go on.
As for a 100% garrantee of an air pollutant free environment. It simply can't be done. Anywhere. Even hostpitals have outbreaks of Legionairs disease and Golden Staff. There is nowhere you can go or nothing you can do, that will give you absolute protection from the real world.