Air Travel and Health

Allan Seabridge, Seabridge Systems Ltd, UKAllan Seabridge is recently retired as Head of Flight Systems Engineering with BAE Systems. He has 36 years experience in aerospace systems engineering, business development and research & development, with major projects worked on including Canberra, Jaguar, Tornado, EAP, Typhoon & Nimrod. Since retiring he has developed an interest in engineering education leading to the design and delivery of systems and engineering courses at a number of UK universities at undergraduate and postgraduate level. He also provides technical consultancy to companies in the aerospace industry.Allan's interest in the impact of flying on health was initiated by a study he conducted before retiring to ensure that the company had a proven track record in understanding the issues involved. Later tracking of the subject in the press revealed that many travellers claim to suffer from ill health after flying, and this engendered an interest in collating all the records of such claims and looking at the potential impact on aircraft design and of product liability.Shirley Morgan, UKHaving spent 9 years at BAE Systems at Warton as internal communications manager, Shirley Morgan is a freelance journalist with a broad spread of regular clients for whom she writes and produces material from single articles to whole magazines. Her clients come from many sectors, from higher education to defence and pharmaceuticals, as well as not-for-profit organisations.

• About the Authors xvPreface xviiSeries Preface xixAcknowledgements xxiAcronyms and Abbreviations xxiii1 Introduction 11.1 Factors Affecting Health 21.2 The System of Interest 21.2.1 The Operating Environment 21.2.2 The Atmosphere 31.2.3 The Aircraft Inhabitants 41.2.4 Sources of Environmental Stimuli 51.3 The Aircraft 61.3.1 Military Aircraft 61.3.2 Commercial Aircraft 81.4 Design Considerations 101.5 Summary 14References 16Further Reading 16Useful Web Sites 162 Some ‘Minor’ Ailments 172.1 Introduction 172.1.1 Health Information 172.1.2 Considering the Whole Trip 182.1.3 Some Symptoms Reported by Travellers 182.1.4 Health Risks 192.2 Some Common Conditions of Air Travel 202.2.1 General Discomfort 202.2.2 Jet Lag (Circadian Dysrhythmia) 212.2.3 Fear of Flying (Aerophobia) 232.2.4 Discomfort of the Ears 23References 25Further Reading 25Useful Web Sites 263 Air Quality 273.1 The Environment 283.1.1 The Atmosphere 283.1.2 Air Quality 283.1.3 Cabin Air Supply 293.1.4 Sources of Contamination 293.2 Aircraft Environments 313.2.1 Commercial Aircraft 313.2.2 Military Aircraft 333.3 Environmental Control Systems 363.3.1 Air Cooling 363.3.2 Air Distribution 363.4 Health Issues 403.4.1 Effects of Contamination 413.4.2 Aerotoxic Syndrome 413.4.3 At Risk on the Ground? 473.4.4 Spreading Illness 473.5 System Implications 483.5.1 Contaminants 483.5.2 Future Systems 513.6 Request for Further Information 55References 56Further Reading 57Useful Web Sites 584 Deep Vein Thrombosis 594.1 Introduction 594.1.1 How Common Is It? 614.1.2 How Long Is a Long Flight? 624.2 The Environment 624.3 Aircraft Environments 634.3.1 Commercial Aircraft 634.3.2 Large Military Aircraft 644.3.3 Fast-Jet Military Aircraft 674.4 The System 674.4.1 Commercial Aircraft 674.4.2 Military Aircraft 684.5 Health Issues 694.5.1 Cabin Altitude and Pressure 704.5.2 SoWho Is at Risk? 714.5.3 Summary of Risks 724.6 System Implications 734.6.1 Litigation 734.6.2 Preventative Measures 744.6.3 Advice to Passengers 744.6.4 Continuing Work 76References 77Further Reading 78Useful Web Sites 785 Noise and Vibration 795.1 The Environment 815.2 Aircraft Environment 825.2.1 Commercial Aircraft 825.2.2 Military Aircraft 835.3 Health Issues 855.3.1 Hearing 855.3.2 Vibration 855.4 System Implications 865.4.1 Limiting Flying Hours 865.4.2 Active Noise Cancellation 875.4.3 Microphone Disabling 875.4.4 Personal Noise Management 875.4.5 Risk Assessment 88References 88Further Reading 88Useful Web Sites 886 Exposure to Radiation 896.1 The Environment 896.1.1 Cosmic Radiation 906.1.2 Radiation in Space 926.1.3 Non-ionising Radiation 926.2 The Aircraft Environment 936.2.1 Ionising Radiation from Space 936.2.2 Non-ionising RF Radiation 946.2.3 Understanding the Risk in Commercial Aircraft 976.2.4 Understanding the Risk in Military Aircraft 996.3 Aircraft Systems 1006.4 Health Issues 1016.4.1 Risk of Cancer 1016.4.2 Risks to Female Crew Members 1036.4.3 Risks to Passengers 1036.4.4 Eye Damage 1046.4.5 Damage to Life Support Equipment 1046.5 System Implications 1046.5.1 Legislation 1046.5.2 Mitigating Action 1086.6 Future Developments 109References 110Further Reading 112Useful Web Sites 1127 Back and Neck Pain 1137.1 Back Pain 1137.1.1 Lower Back Pain 1137.1.2 Posture 1147.1.3 Back Pain and Military Aircraft 1147.1.4 Helicopter Pilots 1157.1.5 Posture and Pain 1177.2 Neck Strain 1207.3 Commercial Aircraft Issues 1227.3.1 Flight Attendants 1227.3.2 Passengers 1237.4 Lumbar Support 1237.5 Advice for Passengers 125References 126Further Reading 1278 Military Issues 1298.1 The Cockpit Environment 1308.2 Effects of Acceleration 1338.3 Pressure Oxygen Breathing and Hypoxia 1368.3.1 Hypoxia 1368.3.2 Decompression Sickness 137References 137Further Reading 138Useful Web Sites 1389 Workstation Use 1399.1 The Environment 1409.2 Aircraft Environments 1419.2.1 Commercial Aircraft 1419.2.2 Military Aircraft 1429.3 The System 1439.4 Health Issues 1469.4.1 Sight 1469.4.2 Posture 1479.4.3 Back and Neck Pain 1479.4.4 Vibration 1489.5 System Implications 148Reference 150Further Reading 150Useful Web Sites 15010 Regulation and Control of Risks to Health 15110.1 General 15110.2 Legislative Framework 15210.2.1 Health and Safety 15310.2.2 EU Legislation 15410.2.3 Environmental Legislation 15610.2.4 Air Navigation Order 15710.2.5 Duty of Care 15710.3 Summary of Legal Threats 15710.3.1 Criminal Prosecution 15710.3.2 Civil Lawsuits 15810.3.3 Customer/Public Relations 15810.4 Issues Arising 15811 The Design Process 16111.1 Control of Risk 16111.1.1 Governance 16111.1.2 Company Policy 16211.1.3 Company Procedures 16211.2 Design 16211.2.1 Standards 16211.2.2 Good Practice 16311.2.3 Design and Qualification Process 16311.3 Application 17411.3.1 Incorporation 17511.3.2 Operations 17511.4 Feedback 17511.4.1 Public Comment 17611.4.2 Complaints 17611.4.3 Litigation 176Reference 17712 Summary and Conclusions 17912.1 Integration Effects 18012.2 Predisposition 18212.2.1 The Travel Experience 18312.2.2 Genetic Factors 18312.2.3 Public Health 18312.3 Domestic Circumstances 18312.3.1 Carrying and Lifting 18412.3.2 Do-It-Yourself (DIY) 18412.3.3 Noisy Pursuits 18412.3.4 Lifestyle Factors 18412.3.5 Water Sports 18512.3.6 Obesity 18512.4 Comparison with General Public Health Conditions 18512.4.1 Sick Building Syndrome 18512.4.2 Myalgic Encephalomyletis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) 18612.4.3 WiFi Sensitivity 18712.4.4 Electrical Power Line Sensitivity 18812.4.5 New Car Syndrome 18912.4.6 Household and Industrial Cleaning Products 19012.4.7 Discussion 19112.5 Serious Conditions 19112.6 Advice to Industry 19112.6.1 Processes and Procedures 19212.6.2 Independent Medical Advice 19312.6.3 Research 19312.6.4 Seeing the ‘Big Picture’ 19312.7 Advice to Operators 19512.7.1 Promote Awareness 19512.7.2 Independent Medical Advice 19512.7.3 Research 19512.8 Advice to Travellers 19512.8.1 Obtain Medical Advice 19612.8.2 Improve Awareness 19612.9 What Can Be Done? 19912.10 Finally 204References 204Further Reading 205Useful Web Sites 205Bibliography 207Index 217

"As a result, I was delighted to receive for review this book written by two well respected flight systems engineers recently retired from the UK aviation industry." (The Aeronautical Journal , 1 December 2011) "This is an insightful book, one which should give its intended audience - and interested passengers - pause for thought." (RoSPA Occupational Safety & Health Journal, 1 May 2011)"Seabridge, a retired chief flight systems engineer, and Morgan who is affiliated with Copycat Communications Ltd. investigate common complaints, the evidence, the biological and environmental dimensions that might be involved, and possible solutions to air travel's affect on health. The topics are some minor ailments, air quality, deep vein thrombosis, noise and vibration, exposure to radiation, back and neck pain, military issues, workstation use, the regulation and control of risks to health, and the design process." (Reference and Research Book News, February 2011)"The authors present a useful reference for aircrew, regulatory authorities, engineers and managers within the aerospace industry, and medical and human factor specialists, as well as an informative resource for undergraduate and graduate students." (Asiaing.com, 10 November 2010)