Sick plane syndrome

Are planes hotbeds of diseases and illnesses – i.e. sick plane syndrome? Studies on air quality in planes and the health of passengers have been conducted for many years, but over the past 10 years they’ve increased. The Telegraph reports of recent studies (September 1, 2015).

A 2004 study, cited by CNN in 2010, revealed ‘germ zones’ on a plane, one of which was the water. Water samples on 327 domestic and international planes showed some samples were contaminated. In 2007 The Wall Street Journal wrote that airlines washed the blankets only every 5 to 30 days. In 2000 an American investigation on airline laundry detected the bacteria pseudomonas paucimobilis that causes meningitis, on blankets, and Aspergillus niger, a food contaminant, on food.

But the dry air on planes causes more problems than surfaces or food, because many germs thrive in low-humidity. Other airborne illnesses occur due to coughing and sneezing passengers.

Airlines try to counteract airborne germs by using high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters), which remove about 50% of bacteria and viruses from the recirculated cabin air. HEPA filters refresh the total volume of air on a plane every two to three minutes (office buildings refresh the air every 5-10 minutes).

The Aerospace Medical Association reported 28 cases of people affected by fumes in 2013. Of the 28 cases, 14 flew on another plane, and the other 14 were deemed unfit to fly. No new cases have been reported since.

A new 2015 study found that 23% of 2,000 adults surveyed believed that they may have been ill because of poor air quality on planes. Auburn University in Alabama presented a study at the American Society for Microbiology conference which stated that disease-causing bacteria can survive for up to a week inside plane cabins – on surfaces such as seat pockets, tray tables, window shades, and armrests.

However, doctors and scientists say that there are many other bacteria that people come into contact with outside a plane (at home, in taxis, cars, buses, and on trains). Many influenza outbreaks didn't occur due to cabin air, but occurred after a prolonged delay while passengers stayed in the plane while it was grounded and had the air ventilation turned off.

Plane air quality is tested regularly for ‘sick plane syndrome’ and overall cabin air meeets health and safety standards and that contaminant levels are generally low.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/travel-truths/10888562/Can-flying-make-you-ill.html