Ozone toxicity symptoms among flight attendants

Reed, D; Glaser, S; Kaldor, J

doi:10.1002/ajim.4700010107

Title: Ozone toxicity symptoms among flight attendants

Full Record
Other Related Research

Abstract

Because of persistent complaints of ozone-toxicity type symptoms among crew members of commercial airlines, we undertook a survey to determine the extent of the problem and the associated flight factors. Self-reported questionnaires and flight diaries were completed by 1,330 flight attendants, (FAs) working for three different airlines. Ozone-toxicity type symptoms were reported three or four times more frequently by FAs with airlines flying at high altitudes than by those with low-flying airlines. When examined by characteristics of flights, the ozone-toxicity type symptoms were significantly associated with flight altitude, duration and type of aircraft, but not with years worked, sex, medical history, or home residence. Other symptoms indicative of fatigue or stress were mainly associated with flight duration. While these indirect data cannot implicate ozone specifically, they offer evidence that ozone-related health problems do exist among a large proportion of FAs.

Authors:: Reed, D; Glaser, S; Kaldor, J

Publication Date:: Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

Research Org.:: Epidemiological Studies, California State Department of Health Services, Berkeley

OSTI Identifier:: 7053891

Resource Type:: Journal Article

Journal Name:: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States)

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 1:1

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; AVIATION PERSONNEL; OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY; OZONE; TOXICITY; AIRCRAFT; HEALTH HAZARDS; INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE; SEX DEPENDENCE; TIME DEPENDENCE; HAZARDS; MEDICINE; PERSONNEL; SAFETY; 560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)

Citation Formats


                    Reed, D, Glaser, S, and Kaldor, J. Ozone toxicity symptoms among flight attendants.  United States: N. p., 1980. 
        Web.  doi:10.1002/ajim.4700010107.

Copy to clipboard


                    Reed, D, Glaser, S, & Kaldor, J. Ozone toxicity symptoms among flight attendants.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700010107

Copy to clipboard


                    Reed, D, Glaser, S, and Kaldor, J. 1980.  
        "Ozone toxicity symptoms among flight attendants".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700010107.

Copy to clipboard


                    
@article{osti_7053891,

  title        = {Ozone toxicity symptoms among flight attendants},

  author       = {Reed, D and Glaser, S and Kaldor, J},

  abstractNote = {Because of persistent complaints of ozone-toxicity type symptoms among crew members of commercial airlines, we undertook a survey to determine the extent of the problem and the associated flight factors. Self-reported questionnaires and flight diaries were completed by 1,330 flight attendants, (FAs) working for three different airlines. Ozone-toxicity type symptoms were reported three or four times more frequently by FAs with airlines flying at high altitudes than by those with low-flying airlines. When examined by characteristics of flights, the ozone-toxicity type symptoms were significantly associated with flight altitude, duration and type of aircraft, but not with years worked, sex, medical history, or home residence. Other symptoms indicative of fatigue or stress were mainly associated with flight duration. While these indirect data cannot implicate ozone specifically, they offer evidence that ozone-related health problems do exist among a large proportion of FAs.},

  doi          = {10.1002/ajim.4700010107},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7053891},
  journal      = {Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States)},
number       = ,

  volume       = 1:1,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980},

  month        = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980}

}

Copy to clipboard

Journal Article:

https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700010107

Other availability

Find in Google Scholar

Search WorldCat to find libraries that may hold this journal

Save / Share:

Export Metadata

Save to My Library

Similar records in OSTI.GOV collections:

Pulmonary and symptom threshold effects of ozone in airline passenger and cockpit crew surrogates

Journal Article Lategola, M; Melton, C; Higgins, E - Aviat., Space Environ. Med.; (United States)

Previous studies showed that the ozone concentration for pulmonary and symptom threshold effects in flight attendant surrogates lies between 0.20 and 0.30 ppMv for a 3-h exposure with intermittent treadmill exercise at 1829 m (MSL) stimulated cabin altitude. In the present study of sedentary occupants of the in-flight airline cabin, the same protocol was used except for omitting all treadmill exercise. Symptoms were assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Pulmonary function was assessed using standardized quantitative spirometry. Male smoker and nonsmoker airline passenger and cockpit crew surrogates 40 to 59 years of age were used. Small but statistically significant displacements occurredmore »« less
Effects of ozone on symptoms and cardiopulmonary function in a flight attendant surrogate population

Journal Article Lategola, M; Melton, C; Higgins, E - Aviat., Space Environ. Med.; (United States)

Two studies were conducted to ascertain the lowest ozone concentration threshold for statistically significant adverse effects on cardiopulmonary function and symptoms in male and female surrogates of the flight attendant population. Both studies simulated in-flight envionmental conditions at 1829 m mean sea level chamber altitude. The ozone exposures were 0.2 parts per million by volume for 4 h in the first study and 0.3 ppMv for 3 h in the second study. Each subject was similarly exposed to air only on another occasion. Treadmil exercise, equivalent to workloads of on-duty flight attendants, was performed at altitude. Cardiorespiratory measurements were mademore »« less
NIOSH testimony on flight attendants and airport ground-crew workers before the Subcommittee on Government Activities and Transportation, House Committee on Government Operations by J. M. Melius, August 16, 1980

Technical Report

Testimony concerned the occupational health and safety problems of flight attendants and airport ground crew workers. Flight attendants have frequently reported respiratory problems including cough, chest pain or tightness and palpitations. They have noticed increased prevalence of reproductive problems including menstrual difficulties, miscarriages, and birth defects. They also complain of frequent headaches, swollen ankles, back pain, and other musculoskeletal problems. Many hours at high altitudes may subject these workers to increased radiation and ozone exposures. They may also be exposed to carbon-monoxide and hazardous components of jet exhaust and cigarette smoke. They were subject to frequent changes in cabin pressure,more »« less
Respiratory symptoms and peak flow associated with indoor and outdoor air pollutants in the southwest

Journal Article Lebowitz, M; Holberg, C; Boyer, B; ... - J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

A symptom-stratified, geographic cluster sample of 117 middle class households was studied. Symptom daily diaries and peak flows were obtained for 211 subjects over a two-year period. Indoor sampling in a sample of houses was performed for O/sub 3/, TSP, RSP, CO, temperature (T), and relative humidity (RH). Questionnaires determined type of stove and number of smokers in all households. Ambient pollutants (O/sub 3/, TSP, CO, NO/sub 2/), were monitored in or near the clusters, as were T and RH. Smoking in the household was significantly correlated with TSP and RSP. Indoor CO was significantly correlated with gas stove usage.more »« less
https://doi.org/10.1080/00022470.1985.10466016
Relationship between the amount of rice oil ingested by patients with Yusho and their subjective symptoms

Journal Article Yoshimura, T; Hayabuchi, H - Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

The goal of this study was to clarify the subjective symptoms closely related to Yusho by examining the relationship between the amount of PCB-contaminated rice oil ingested by patients and the subjective symptoms recorded on their questionnaires. The amount of PCB-contaminated rice oil consumed by the patients was obtained by interviewing the housewife in each Yusho family. Individual consumption of the oil was estimated by taking into account age, sex and the number of meals at home. In 1970, 46 patients were available for analysis, and in 1971, 33 patients were available. Among 12 subjective symptoms studied, numbness of themore »« less
https://doi.org/10.2307/3429873

Similar Records