17 Jan 2008 : Column WA276

Aviation: Air Contamination

Lord Tyler asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Department for Transport Aircraft Working Group research on cabin air contamination will look specifically at monitoring techniques suitable to detect tricresyl phosphate (TCP); and whether that research will utilise methods used by other organisations that have detected TCP such as the Royal Australian Air Force, Honeywell and the Norwegian National Institute of Occupational Health. [HL1108]

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The research is designed to capture any substance in cabin air. The Department for Transport is not aware that any other organisations have carried out air sampling during commercial flights and in particular during fume events.

Lord Tyler asked Her Majesty's Government:

What process was used to put out to tender the Aircraft Working Group research on cabin air contamination; and which groups were considered. [HL1109]

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The work so far has been only to conduct functionality tests on equipment which might be capable of capturing substances released during fume incidents. The Aviation Health Working Group (AHWG) decided to appoint an independent project manager who had not been involved in the debate so far. Professor Helen Muir of Cranfield University was approved by several members of the AHWG as someone who could bring a fresh and independent oversight of the project along with knowledge of aircraft. Professor Muir's work on aviation safety is well known but she had not previously been involved with aviation health.