Contaminated Cabin Air Key Timeline
1930
Ortho isomers of TCP responsible for toxicity - Ginger Jake
1939
Perhaps of greater importance than the acute effects of low grade carbon monoxide poisoning are the chronic effects from repeated exposures – Harry G. Armstrong
1946
Large aerodynamic air compressor from which compressed air may be bled in quantities suitable for cabin ventilation and refrigeration - fortuitous circumstances – H. J. Wood
1946
Synthetic lubricants developed
1953
Pyrolised oil contains irritant and toxic substances. Impairment causing pilot error and hazardous situation - Aero Medical Association
1953
Toxic effect of oil contamination unknown - Boeing
1954
Inhalation toxicity of jet oils related to pyrolysis of base stock at high temps - USAF
1954
Suitable decontamination filters entirely adequate to meet this situation have not been forthcoming - Patent application
1955
Cabin air contamination problems in crew - USAF
1955
‘The separate compressor as a solution – This method of eliminating contamination is considered to be the most positive.’ Elimination of engine bleed air contamination. Henry Reddall. (North American Aviation Inc)
1955
First civil airliner designed with direct bleed air for pressurisation and air conditioning - Sud Aviation Caravelle
1955
The toxicity of certain aromatic phosphate esters. Treon et al. Technical Report AD63455. Armed Services Technical Information Agency
1959
Other ortho isomers of TCP: MOCP and DOCP 10 and 5 x more toxic than TOCP - Henschler
1960s
TCP in lubricants replaced with other phosphate esters in all markets except aviation / military
1961
Active metabolite causing TOCP toxicity identified - Casida
1962
Oils shall have no adverse effect on human health / carcinogens prohibited - MIL Specs
1962
Vickers VC-10 aircraft flies on 29 June 1962 and is last jet aircraft to use turbocompressors and not bleed air
1965
The Environment and Disease: Association or Causation? Bradford Hill (Section of Occupational Medicine)
1965
Other Triaryl phosphate (TAP) isomers very likely to contribute to toxicity - US Navy
1966
The high temperatures encountered within the engine compressor caused the oil vapor to decompose into extremely noxious and irritating substances - US aircraft manufacturer
1969
Oil consumption mainly linked to oil leakage past seals/loss via breather - Rolls-Royce
1970
Cockpit warning systems required - FAR 1309c - Not met as of 2017
1973
Internal engine oil leakage shall not contaminate the bleed air - MIL-E-5007D
1977
Aircrew incapacitation due inhalation exposure to aerosolized or vaporized synthetic lubricating oil - Montgomery
1981
Oils being stressed to limits due increased engine temps - Royal Dutch Shell
1981
At temps >320°C oil breaks down into toxic and carcinogenic compounds - SAE
1983
Mobil Jet Oil II assumed to be causing dirty socks odour - Cone
1985
Cabin air contamination has been experienced on acceleration from low power conditions during the Boeing 757 flight certification programme of RB211-535E4-37 engines - Rolls-Royce
1988
TOCP level in TCP is not a reliable indicator of potential TCP neurotoxicity - Mobil
1988
HEPA filter standard fit on Airbus single aisle aircraft such as A320
1989
Recommendation to ban Exxon 2380 from US Navy and test all base stocks - US Navy
1990
Not possible to establish safe level of exposure to TOCP. TCP mixed isomers including TOCP considered major hazard to human health - WHO
1995
Air oils seals must be improved now! - Aerospace consortium – NASA / Allied Signal - ongoing (1950s - present)
1997
BAe 146 aircraft fails the ventilation requirements, fails the noxious vapours requirements, fails the contamination requirements - Internal airline memo
1997
Reluctance of crews to report events to employer - fear of reprisals - ATSB
1998
Short term symptoms associated with odours on the BAe 146 and other types are substantiated - Ansett
1998
Pall Aerospace develop dual HEPA / carbon filter for recirculated air
1999
Oil fumes in cabin air represent a possible safety deficiency - ATSB
1999
TCP is toxic and Inhaling engine oil / TCP is hazardous - UK House of Commons
1999
2 crew temporarily incapacitated due to oil fumes on SE-DRE an internal Swedish BAe 146 flight
1999
Employee ‘Suffered injury arising out of and in the course of her employment.’ - Compensation Court - NSW
1999
TOCP exposure standards not adequately protective for products containing TCP / TOCP - Mobil
1999-2000
Australian Senate Inquiry – Concludes contaminated air is a health and flight safety issue
1999-2012
ASHRAE studies
2000
UK House of Lords Inquiry
2001
Forensics team finds 10 nanogrammes of TOCP found in pilot's blood after a reported contaminated air event
2001
Oil fumes seen as a nuisance / should be seen as flight safety hazard (SB/AD) - BAe Systems
2001
Recommendation that crew use oxygen at 100 %, International database established, Oil effects research – SHK
2001
ASHRAE - ENERGEN Report Number AS20151. Determine Aircraft Supply Air Contaminants in the Engine Bleed Air Supply System on Commercial Aircraft.
2001-2002
US NRC inquiry
2001-2004
UK CAA cabin air quality report
2002
Charge of reprehensible conduct appropriate if necessary precautions and measures not taken by airlines - Abeyratne (ICAO)
2002
Oil leaks and cabin / flight deck odours must be regarded as a potential threat to flight safety - CAA
2002
No aircraft airworthy as no contaminated air detection systems fitted - FAA
2003
Airline cannot guarantee a safe working environment free of oil fumes - NJS
2003
Leaking oil is hazardous - Rolls Royce
2003
Survey of British Airways Boeing 757 pilots shows 96% of all contaminated air events not reported - Michaelis
2004
ExxonMobil oil MSDS citation issued by OSHA / cancelled 2005 - OSHA
2004
Airworthiness Directives - Oil contamination - Unsafe condition / design problem - FAA
2004
Airbus - Service Information Leaflet - SIL 21-132 Cabin Air Quality Troubleshooting Advice
2004-2012
ASD-STAN - air quality standards - withdrawn (2013)
2005
International conference in London - acknowledges workplace problem - BALPA
2005
Airbus - Service Information Leaflet - SIL 49-00 - Aircraft/APU bleed air oil contamination/Aircraft smoke warning
2005-2007
UK COT inquiry
2006
TOCP found in pilot's blood after a reported contaminated air event / ill health retired 6 months later.
2006
Under-reporting is occurring - FAA
2007
Oil fumes reported in 1% of UK flights - COT
2006
Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE) established
2007
Cabin air quality standard - ASHRAE SPC-161
2007
Senator O’Brian reveals in Australian Senate ‘cash for silence’ - BAe Systems, Allied Signal, Garrett
2007
Safety Recommendations - Recommended FAA / EASA consider system to enable flight crew to identify rapidly the source of smoke by providing a flight deck warning of smoke or oil mist in the air - AAIB
2007
‘Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines’ documentary film released - Fact Not Fiction Films
2007
Public Enquiry into oil fumes called for in the UK - Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats and Green Party
2007
By-products of hot synthetic turbine oil unknown - Boeing
2007
All oil chemical ingredients must abide by regulations - SAE / FAA
2007-2014
Bleed air monitoring required - APH, NRC, US Senate and Congress, CASA EPAAQ, Bundestag, ASHRAE, AAIB, BFU
2007-2014
Bleed air filtration / cleaning required - APH, SAE, US Senate and Congress, CASA EPAAQ, Bundestag, ASHRAE, BFU
2008
FAA funded medical protocol for fume exposures - OHRCA
2008-2012
Australian CASA EPAAQ
2009
Is Inhaling oil fumes safe? No - Bundestag
2009
Toxicity of oils raised with EASA and upgraded MSDS risk phrases - NYCO
2009
Investigate possibility of installing smoke warning system in bleed air ducting of B757 – IPFS Iceland
2010
1st successful civil litigation - J Turner, Australia: Oil harmful to lungs
2010
Documentaries ‘Angel Without Wings’ and ‘Broken Wings – The BAe 146 Story’ released - Fact Not Fiction Films
2010
Boeing 757 DHL aircraft - introduce PALL Cockpit Filter Unit (CFU) - cockpit bleed air filters
2011
Identification of increased TCP / TAP toxicity: Durad 125, TpCP - Furlong
2011
Airbus - WISE In-Service Information 21.21.00011 - Cabin Air Quality Troubleshooting Advice to replace SIL 21-132
2011
Fumes mostly related to oil / under-reported - EASA
2011
The Agency agrees it is possible that they are underreported (fume events) - EASA CRD 2009-10 Cabin Air Quality onboard Large Aeroplanes
2011
First ever awarded PhD on contaminated air - Dr. Susan Michaelis
2011
German Parliamentary hearings
2011
Pressurized aircraft cabin air comes from air bled off from the gas turbine engines of the aircraft. However, the engine bleed air can sometimes become slightly contaminated with oil or other fluids, which may result in an objectionable oil or smoke smell in the cabin of the aircraft - P&W patent
2011
Boeing settles legal case (Williams / USA)
2011
Blood test for TOCP exposure developed - Lockridge
2011
Boeing 787 with bleed free architecture enters commercial airline service
2011
Contaminated aircraft cabin air. Susan Michaelis. (Journal of Biological Physics and Chemistry)
2012
Cabin air position statement - ECA
2012
Toxic cabin air 6th biggest engine problem - RR
2012
Air accident report - TOCP in pilots blood after incapacitation - BFU
2012-2013
All future aircraft to be bleed free - CASA EPAAQ, Bundestag, ASHRAE
2012-2019
US Senate / Congress CAQ bills
2013
OSHA and ACGIH have not set exposure limits for decomposition product of synthetic jet engine oils - ExxonMobil
2013
Investigative TV piece ‘Toxic Flyer’ - 60 Minutes Australia
2013
Decomposition reactions of engine oils and toxicity largely unknown - FAA
2015
Cabin fume event guidance published - Cir 344 - ICAO
2014
Certification does not cover all contaminated air substances or crew impairment (only Incapacitation) - BFU
2014
Pall Aerospace A320 A-CAF filter launched
2014
A counterpoint to key misperceptions about exposure to aviation engine oil and hydraulic fluid fumes. Judith Anderson. (Journal of Biological Physics and Chemistry)
2015
Feature film ‘A Dark Reflection’ exploring contaminated air is released - Fact Not Fiction Films
2015
Documentary ‘Unfiltered Breathed in: The Truth About Aerotoxic Syndrome’ released - TVBMedia
2016
Do not breathe mist or vapor from heated material / avoid eye and skin contact - Eastman Turbo Oil 2197
2016
TCP inhalation toxicity for engine oils to be undertaken by 2018 - ECHA
2016
Engineering design and operational problem - explains frequency (unairworthy system) - Michaelis
2016
ICAO monitor international actions to determine impact on health and take safety actions - Spanish CIAIAC
2016
Pall Aerospace launch MaVE project
2016
‘The use of the bleed air system to supply the regulatory required air quality standards is not being met or being enforced as required.’ Implementation of the requirements for the provision of clean air in crew and passenger compartments using the aircraft bleed air system. Susan Michaelis. MSc Cranfield.
2017
Permanent low-level oil leakage in aircraft / >120 contaminants released from heated oils - EASA
2017
EASA publishes AVOIL Research Project - Characterisation of the toxicity of aviation turbine engine oils after pyrolysis
2017
EASA publishes CAQ Research Project: Preliminary cabin air quality measurement campaign. Dr. Sven Schuchardt includes the comment: ‘A human exposure study is the long-needed tool to provide an unequivocal and sound data set to end the misguided discussion on cabin air quality once and for all.’
2017
The Aetiology of ‘Aerotoxic Syndrome’- A Toxico-Pathological Viewpoint. Howard et al. (Open Acc J of Toxicol)
2017
Aerotoxic Syndrome - new occupational disease? Michaelis et al. (Panorama WHO Journal)
2017
1st Aircraft Cabin Air Conference - London
2017
GCAQE introduces Global Cabin Air Reporting System – GCARS starts evaluation
2017-2018
Increased Ultra Fine Particle levels measured on aircraft show correlation with engine & APU operation
2018
FAA issues a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 18003) calling for enhanced procedures for contaminated air events
2018
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 – Educational materials, develop technology to monitor bleed air*, reporting* and FAA to report to Congress (* = No later than 180 days)
2018
Due to the complexity of the overall air supply system and the mixing of air coming from different compressed air sources in the system, in case of a contamination in the bleed/compressed air system it is extremely difficult to identify the origin of the contamination - Airbus patent
2018
Oil seals leak when the pressures change over the seals during transient power changes or low power settings - Aircraft Clean Air Requirements Using Bleed Air Systems (Scientific Research Publishing)
2018
ASHRAE Research Project 1262-RP Part 2 - Final Report - Relate Air Quality and Other Factors to Comfort and Health Related Symptoms Reported by Passengers and Crew on Commercial Transport Aircraft (Part 2)
2018
Aircraft Clean Air Requirements Using Bleed Air Systems. Susan Michaelis. (Engineering)
2018
Effect of charcoal equipped HEPA filters on cabin air quality in aircraft. A case study including smell event related in-flight measurements. Rosenberger. (Building and Environment)
2018
Is a Cumulative Exposure to a Background Aerosol of Nanoparticles Part of the Causal Mechanism of Aerotoxic Syndrome? Howard et al. (Nanomedicine and Nanoscience Research)
2018
Intestinal damage, neurotoxicity and biochemical responses caused by tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate and tricresyl phosphate on earthworm. Yang et al. (Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety)
2019
Turbine Engine Lubricant and Additive Degradation Mechanisms. David W. Johnson (Aerospace Engineering)
2019
Cabin air quality – Quantitative comparison of volatile air contaminants at different flight phases during 177 commercial flights – Schuchardt et al (Building and Environment)
2019
Temporal variations of ultrafine particle concentrations in aircraft cabin: A field study. Guan et al. (Building and Environment)
2019
UK union Unite the Union calls for a Public Inquiry into contaminated air
2019
2nd Aircraft Cabin Air Conference - London
2019
AIRBUS launch the ‘FRESH’ project - Airbus initiative to reduce Smell In Cabin events
2020
Effects of short-term exposures to ultrafine particles near an airport in healthy subjects. Lammers et al. (Environment International)
2020
Inappropriate Use of Risk Assessment in Addressing Health Hazards Posed by Civil Aircraft Cabin Air - C V Howard
(Open Acc J of Toxicol)
2020
Synthetic organic chemicals (flame retardants and pesticides) with neurotoxic potential induced behavioral impairment on zebrafish (Danio rerio): a non-invasive approach for neurotoxicology. Ren et al. (Environmental Science and Pollution Research)
2020
Captain Andrew Myers wins Workers' Compensation Case - State of Oregon
2021
US Patent Application published for an oil that does not include tricresyl phosphate and includes as an anti-wear additive at least one diphosphorus compound for the prophylaxis of aerotoxic syndrome, especially in case of fume event.
2021
During normal operations, engines have a defined, permissible low-level oil consumption, some of which is consumed through the deoiler, oil seals, and oil leaks - SAE
2021
Exposure to engine oil and hydraulic fluid fumes can induce considerable lung toxicity, clearly reflecting the potential health risks of contaminated aircraft cabin air - In vitro hazard characterization of simulated aircraft cabin bleed-air contamination in lung models using an air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure system. He et al. (Journal of Environment International)
2021
Ultrafine particle levels measured on board short-haul commercial passenger jet aircraft. Michaelis et al. (Journal of Environmental Health)
2021
3rd Aircraft Cabin Air Conference, on-line due to COVID
2021
Documentary ‘American 965’ released - Fact Not Fiction Films
1ST Aircraft Cabin Air Conference, London
2022
Aircraft contaminated air: a brief outline. Susan Michaelis. (Int. J. Sustainable Aviation)
2022
Endocrine disrupting toxicity of aryl organophosphate esters and mode of action. Hu et al. (Journal of Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology)
2023
In vitro neurotoxicity screening of engine oil- and hydraulic fluid-derived aircraft cabin bleed-air contamination. Gerber et al. (Neurotoxicology)
2023
Consideration of aerotoxic syndrome in aircrew members with unusual or episodic symptoms of neuro/cognitive dysfunction is essential for further characterizing this occupational illness - Prolonged Disability following Re-Exposure after Complete Recovery from Aerotoxic Syndrome: A Case Report (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
2023
New NYCO oil - NYCO 940 SE obtains SAE approval
2023
Engine oil derived fume extracts persistently reduced neuronal activity - In vitro neurotoxicity screening of engine oil and hydraulic fluid-derived aircraft cabin bleed-air contamination (Journal of Neurotoxicology)
2023
4th Aircraft Cabin Air Conference, on-line due to COVID
2023
Health consequences of exposure to aircraft contaminated air and fume events: a narrative review and medical protocol for the investigation of exposed aircrew and passengers (Journal of Environmental Health)
2024
The role of nanoparticles in bleed air in the etiology of Aerotoxic Syndrome: A review of cabin air-quality studies of 2003–2023. Hageman et al. (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene)
2024
Organophosphate toxicity patterns - A new approach for assessing organophosphate neurotoxicity. Karaboga et al. (Journal of Hazardous Materials)
2024
UK Civil Aviation Authority mandates carbon monoxide detectors in piston engine aircraft
2024
5th Aircraft Cabin Air Conference - London
2024
New NYCO oil 940 SE obtains MIL-PRF-23699 approval.
​
2024
A flight attendant on anAirbus A220-300 which diverted to Graz, Austria with engine problems and smoke in the cabin subsequently dies in hospital. Ongoing investigation.
1954------>
2024
> 100 Published papers to date on contaminated air
> 50 Air accident recommendations and findings