House of Commons -27 Apr 2004 : Column 888W
Mr. Tyler: To ask the
Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the investigation by the Civil
Aviation Authority into cabin air quality considered the presence of (a) mono-ortho,
(b) di-ortho and (c) other toxic isomers of tricresyl
phosphate other than the ortho isomer in engine oil; and whether it considered
evidence for a link between repeated low-level exposure to organophosphates and
chronic neurotoxicity; [168647]
(2) whether the investigation by
the Civil Aviation Authority into cabin air quality took evidence from (a) doctors
and (b) other medical experts who have studied the cases of crews
and passengers affected by contaminated air exposure on
commercial jet aircraft; [168648]
(3) whether unions representing
cabin crew members were consulted during the preparation of the recently
published Civil Aviation Authority Report on cabin air quality. [168649]
Mr. McNulty: The
investigation carried out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) into cabin air
quality focused only on substances found in air conditioning ducts of a certain
type of aircraft. The study was commissioned to investigate the safety
implications arising from potential incapacitation in flight crew as a result
of contaminated cabin air. As such the CAA did not consider the presence of
other substances and effects on low-level exposure. This was a specific piece
of scientific research; therefore it was not appropriate for the CAA to seek
views, either from medical experts or other stakeholders. The Aviation Health
Unit is currently considering the extent to which further research should be
commissioned into the presence in the cabin air of organophosphates and their
effect on passengers and crew.