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 · Sat Aug 16 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6832455

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, to an atmosphere of low humidity, and to continual vibration and noise. They experienced frequent time zone and schedule changes and must lift and move heavy objects in confined quarters. Studies of the ground crew workers have concentrated on baggage handlers, fuelmen, warehouse and air freight personnel, ramp workers, and airport and aircraft maintenance personnel including welders, electricians, mechanics and other skilled craft workers. Studies concerned with safety, noise, jet fuel and jet exhaust, radiation, weather conditions, and other problems of these occupations were discussed.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6832455
• Report Number(s): PB-90-193681/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AIRCRAFT
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
JET ENGINE FUELS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NIOSH
NOISE
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
SAFETY
TOXICITY
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTES