TNT Airways sacks pilot-activist who drew attention to "aerotoxic syndrome"
According to a Dutch newspaper Kristof Van Gerven (35) a TNT pilot living in Genk (Belgium) was sacked by TNT Airways because he drew to much attention to what is taboo in the business "aerotoxic syndrome"!
In Dutch, "Planes are flying gass chambers..." http://www.hbvl.be/limburg/genk/het-zijn-vliegende-gaskamers.aspx
Google translation (beware for...):
Kristof Van Gerven 29/08 (35) from Genk was dismissed last week by courier company TNT Airways. There was no reason given, but perhaps he was put on the door because he was one of the few pilots a problem proposed that the airline industry for decades to suppress: that the air in most planes heavily polluted by highly toxic substances.
World suffer thousands of pilots, cabin crew and passengers on the so-called aero toxic syndrome, also known as the "asbestos of the air" mentioned. "Most appliances are flying gas chamber," Van Gerven.
He went in August 2000 as a pilot to work with TNT Airways Bierset. In 2003 he was the Dutch top photographer Anton Corbijn has Snapped at the cover of the annual report of TNT Airways, to adorn, but last week, the company made the pilot to the door. In the resignation letter gave no reason, but Van Gerven suspects that his long illness was the cause.
Asbestos Scandal of the air
In November 2007 the Limburger was forced to stop flying. Ill, by the polluted air on board the aircraft. Aero Toxic Syndrome, was the diagnosis. "This is a general term for health problems that you incur when your polluted air on board an aircraft have breathed," said Van Gerven.
"It affects everyone on board, pilots, cabin crew and passengers." The aviation industry remains silent about it for decades, but recently more and more articles appearing on what the "scandal of the Asbestos air 'painting.
In the 60s, the pure air through a compressor placed separately in the passenger cabin. Engineers have calculated that they could save weight and place when the air aftakten by the engine goes, the so-called bleed air system. "The idea is good in theory, to eventually follow, the inevitable leakage of oil in the combustion process correctly. This will organe phosphates in the air, including toxic and harmful TCP. "Frightening, because all aircraft in use today have some bleed air system. Only the latest Boeing 787 that will soon not start his career.
The toxic substances can cause problems in the short and long term. Short term symptoms are disorientation, tired eyes, irritated airways, breathing difficulties, coughing, vomiting, loss of balance, dizziness, tremor, blurred vision and headaches.
Lost consciousness
"In the beginning you think you are tired or cold and just keep working. So sometime I lost consciousness at the controls. Only when I start asking me questions and I soon noticed that I was not alone. Only attempt the sector - manufacturers and airlines - to conceal this. The fact is that most aircraft are flying gas chamber. Independent measurements have shown that the air on board is often heavily polluted. "Long-term exposure can lead to memory loss, acute diarrhea, respiratory problems, increased heart rate, hair loss, skin rashes, muscle pains, difficulty sleeping, increased sensitivity to chemicals and chronic fatigue. Van Gerven, whose sentences are constantly interrupted by coughing, suffering from most of these inconveniences. "I'm not the same. Previously I took part in triathlons, today I can not walk without my 100 meter air needs to happen. "
There is also a social drama. Thus, Van Gerven since November 2007 he was almost incapable of work have no money. "In the beginning I got unemployment, but fell away after six months. Now I get through a hole in the social legislation. No pay, no sickness and no unemployment benefits. To my resignation last week I received my monthly TNT Airways however loonbrief.Altijd same amount: 0 euro. "
Van Gerven flew above the BAe 146. The unit of British Aerospace manufacturer has a bad reputation in terms of air quality. "Most pilots or crew members have already become ill during flights of this type. "Currently there are more than 150 aircraft in use by the most famous airlines. TNT Airways has 14 copies still serve. Remarkable, because in its own bulletin in black and white that the high disease rate in the BAe 146 fleet is a major problem. And in the maintenance record is often reported problems with the oil. Van Gerven: "First I want to be known and solved problem. Even sick people every day without knowing the cause. More importantly, every day there are still risks. For the ignorant passengers. "
The probability is that Van Gerven his dream job can ever perform is nil. "My pilot training has cost 60,000 euros. But I will never fly an airplane. Why I retrained as a helicopter pilot. Such training also cost a fortune, around 90,000 euros, but if I can continue to fly without that I have to breathe polluted air. "
Roel Damian