2023
Volume 23, Number 4, pp. 119-127
Anatomy of an occupational hazard: Cabin air contamination in the air transportation industry - Part 6. The atmosphere
J.M. Lind
CPCU ARM (USA)
This paper examines the overall environment in which exposure to cabin air contamination occurs, namely the atmosphere. The primary toxin is presumed to be carbon monoxide, as established in the preceding parts of this series, for which occupational exposure limits have been established to the terrestrial workplace, assumed to be at or close to sea level, with scant regard paid to altitude-specific modifications appropriate to the aircraft cabin working environment. Relevant features of that portion of the terrestrial atmosphere encountered in flight are reviewed. Given the dearth of data concerning carbon monoxide intoxication in large passenger aircraft (jetliners), work on similar hazards encountered by high mountain climbers is reviewed. Adventitious combustion in the engine, and salient features of air compression within it, are reviewed. The tabulated International Standard Atmosphere is used to estimate actual oxygen availability at flight cruise altitude. The degree of its diminution, relative to sea level, seems to have been hitherto disregarded. There are significant health human implications: CO production is greater than might have been expected, and the severity of the consequences of its inhalation under conditions of mild hypoxia, especially for those engaged in strenuous physical activity, appears to have been overlooked.
Keywords: analgesia, inflammation, nociception, pain, paw withdrawal, pruritus