Toxic Cabin Air/Aerotoxic Syndrome
Fascinating Tristan.....
It seems to me that all OPs (and VOCs and CO) are pretty bad things to have in the tin can cauldron of airliner cabins but solutions do exist to prevent the contamination of paying pax and unwitting crews (although the av world is a slow-adopter).
However, an issue not often discussed here, is that the longevity and bio-accumulation of these toxins in our environment may have rather worse long-term effects than previously thought.
Is it possible to stop using them altogether in aviation oil?
We seem to be seeding our world from above, rather like a crop-duster....contaminating all life on earth slowly. Or is that science fiction?
It seems to me that all OPs (and VOCs and CO) are pretty bad things to have in the tin can cauldron of airliner cabins but solutions do exist to prevent the contamination of paying pax and unwitting crews (although the av world is a slow-adopter).
However, an issue not often discussed here, is that the longevity and bio-accumulation of these toxins in our environment may have rather worse long-term effects than previously thought.
Is it possible to stop using them altogether in aviation oil?
We seem to be seeding our world from above, rather like a crop-duster....contaminating all life on earth slowly. Or is that science fiction?
Join Date: Nov 2023
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Possible yes, but as you say the aviation world is a slow-adopter. All jet turbine oils contain 2-3% TCP (one has a slightly different phosphate of similar structure). Removing an approved additive from a formulation and replacing it with different chemistry is considered a major change and sends the formulation back for full approvals. That process takes up to ten years and millions of dollars. Once one oil is fully approved the system may allow read across on the new additive to other formulations, although that is not written into the current process.
It is probably faster and cheaper to address the fume issue with some engine design changes or a scrubbing system in the air system.
It is probably faster and cheaper to address the fume issue with some engine design changes or a scrubbing system in the air system.