Information for health professionals on aircraft fume events
Doctors and other health professionals may see patients who report symptoms following a ‘fume’ event – an unusual odour, mist or smoke – on an aircraft. The pattern of symptoms reported is quite variable and health professionals may understandably wonder how best to manage such patients.
What are the short-term health effects?
Symptoms that have been reported at the time of contaminated air events include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headache, dizziness and tingling in the hands, feet and face.
There is no evidence that these short-term health effects can lead to long term health problems, and therefore no further investigation or treatment is necessary if the symptoms have gone away.
What are the long-term health effects?
In some cases, symptoms that start at the time of exposure to a contaminated air event may persist, while in others symptoms develop some time after an event or where there is no history of exposure to a specific contaminated air event. Symptoms that have been reported include:
- Neurological symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, weakness, problems with balance, pain, numbness, memory problems;
- Psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, poor concentration;
- Skin problems, respiratory or gastro-intestinal symptoms are also occasionally reported;
It is important to consider the possibility of underlying disease that is unrelated to exposure to contaminated cabin air, since the symptoms described are generally non-specific and can occur in a range of conditions.
People with symptoms should have the same investigations and, if necessary, specialist referral as would be the case for someone with the same symptoms but who had not been exposed to contaminated cabin air. If necessary, you may wish to contact the National Poisons Information Service in the UK (for UK residents) or an equivalent service in other countries, for advice on any additional tests that might help in the investigation of your patient’s symptoms.
If a cause for the symptoms is found and they respond to treatment, or if they get better over time without treatment, no further investigation or treatment is required. However, if their symptoms persist, you may wish to consider a referral to a specialist clinical toxicology service such as the clinic at St Thomas’ Hospital, London.
In 2017, an NHS Care Pathway was developed by an independent working group including experts in toxicology, epidemiology, aviation medicine and primary care. This was intended to provide advice to health professionals in managing such patients.
The care pathway describes a decision making process for medial professionals.
Further information on fume events is available on our website under cabin air quality.
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