Ozone And Skin Oils Make For Unhealthy Airplanes

Poor cabin air quality on airplanes could in large part be caused by skin oils interacting with ozone. A study in Environmental Science & Technologysuggests that these interactions could lead to the formation of chemical byproducts that might worsen nasal irritation, headaches, dry eyes and lips, and other common air traveler complaints.

In simulated flights, American and Danish researchers found that ozone in the cabin increased production of identifiable chemical byproducts including nonanal and decanal, a pair of aldehyde compounds associated with headaches, nasal irritation and with other symptoms of “sick building” syndrome.

The bulk of the byproducts were the result of reactions with skin, hair and clothing, according to study author Charles Weschler, from the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey. These oxidative byproducts are produced when ozone reacts with squalene, oleic acid and other compounds in natural skin oils, he explained.

“The role of these byproducts in the adverse health effects that have been associated with ozone is, at present, unknown,” Weschler said. “If these oxidation products are demonstrated to be harmful, simple steps can be taken to reduce their production in aircraft and buildings. For instance, installing ozone-destroying catalysts in airplane ventilation systems can help remove most of the ozone from incoming air,” he noted.

At cruising altitude, the atmosphere outside of aircraft contains very high ozone levels, frequently topping more than 500 parts per billion (ppb). According to FAA regulations, cabin ozone levels should not exceed 250 ppb at any time flying above 32,000 feet or average more than 100 ppb during any 4-hour flight segment that includes cruising at or above 27,000 feet.

While most wide-body planes are equipped with ozone-destroying catalysts in their ventilation systems, these catalysts are far less common on narrow-body aircraft. And as a result, ozone in the cabin air of narrow-body planes can; “exceed ozone levels in Washington, D.C., on a smoggy day,” Weschler said.

Related articles:
Ozone – The Pollutant That Got Away
Sky high superhighway pollution
Smog And Women – A Bad Combination

, ,

Comments are closed.

Northwest Airlines US Air Travel Souvenir Insulated 20oz Travel Tumbler Mug Cup picture

Northwest Airlines US Air Travel Souvenir Insulated 20oz Travel Tumbler Mug Cup

$26.00



California Jaycees Air Travel History vintage pin badge picture

California Jaycees Air Travel History vintage pin badge

$13.25



Air France Airline Collectibles Car Keychain Travel Luggage Bag Tag picture

Air France Airline Collectibles Car Keychain Travel Luggage Bag Tag

$7.98



Avelo Airlines Passport Wallet US Air Travel Card & Travel Document Holders picture

Avelo Airlines Passport Wallet US Air Travel Card & Travel Document Holders

$21.00



Vintage Style Air Travel Luggage Labels Set of 15 Stickers - Suitcase Scrapbook picture

Vintage Style Air Travel Luggage Labels Set of 15 Stickers - Suitcase Scrapbook

$15.29



RIMOWA EVA Air First Class Amenity Kit Toiletry Travel Hard Case picture

RIMOWA EVA Air First Class Amenity Kit Toiletry Travel Hard Case

$49.99



RIMOWA EVA Air First Class Amenity Kit Toiletry Travel Hard Case Olive Green picture

RIMOWA EVA Air First Class Amenity Kit Toiletry Travel Hard Case Olive Green

$49.99



DELTA Air Lines Official Embroidered  Keychain Travel Luggage Tag Red White New picture

DELTA Air Lines Official Embroidered Keychain Travel Luggage Tag Red White New

$14.49



Republic Airlines Closed US Air Travel Souvenir Employee Coffee Mug Tea Cup  picture

Republic Airlines Closed US Air Travel Souvenir Employee Coffee Mug Tea Cup

$23.00



Air Canada Passport Holder Wallet with Card & Travel Document Holders picture

Air Canada Passport Holder Wallet with Card & Travel Document Holders

$21.00



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes