Dangerous Chemical Tricresyl Phosphate Aboard Aircraft
Bleed air technology found in most common commercial transport jet aircraft is becoming a growing target for criticism. Recently, a story was unveiled by writer, Chris Ingalls from King 5 News who described a three year study being conducted by Dr. Clement Furlong from the University of Washington genetics lab that is testing the cabin air quality of common aircraft jet liners. Furlong is trying to prove that jet engine fumes can cause passengers and flight crews to become poisoned by exposure to a chemical found in jet engine oil called tricresyl phosphate, or TCP for short.
Bleed air technology is the process of taking compressed air created from a turbine engine and using it for multiple purposes on an airplane. Some of the most common uses of bleed air include de-icing, pneumatics and pressurizing the cabin. High air temperature and high air pressure are the two main elements that make bleed air so useful.
Dr. Clement Furlong is in the final stages of developing a method that will test for TCP in human protein and in the blood of sickened flight crew and passengers. Whether Furlong and his team can conclude and link TCP to these mysterious airline sicknesses, many aircraft manufactures are moving on with newer developments as can be seen in release titled, Boeing’s 787 No-Bleed Systems, written by Mike Sinnett, Director of the 787 Systems.
According to Boeing and based off the 6 page document written by Mike Sinnett, recent advances in technology have allowed the Boeing company to incorporate no-bleed systems into their latest model jet airliner, the Boeing 787. In this document it is explained that using this newer no-bleed system helps increase fuel efficiency, reduces maintenance costs, improves reliability and expands range. Addressing the speculated potential health concerns regarding the older bleed air technology systems was not mentioned.
What do you think? Do you think these mysterious illnesses that keep occurring mainly in flight attendants and pilots are linked up to tricresyl phosphate poisoning? If so, do you think oil leaking into the engine is to blame? Drop a comment using the comment form and speak your mind.
Tags: , 787, Airplane Designs, Bleed Air, Bleed Air Systems, Bleed Air Technology, Boeing 787, Boeing 787 No Bleed, Boeing News, Cabin Air Quality, Dr. Clement Furlong, Flight Attendant Illness, Flight Attendant Sickness, Mike Sinnett, No-Bleed Air, No-Bleed Boeing Engines, Pilot Illness, Pilot Sickness, TCP Poisioning, Tricresyl Phosphate, Tricresyl Phosphate Fumes, University of Washington
Filed under: Aviation News
5 Responses to “Dangerous Chemical Tricresyl Phosphate Aboard Aircraft”
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Curtis Castor Says:
February 27th, 2008 at 11:38 amDue to the obtuse nature of the Softpedia sign-in procedure I am unable to deliver this message to the person addressed. Would some kind person please forward this message to Dr. Furlong?
Attn: Dr. Clement Furlong:
Please be advised that airplane lubricant is not the only source of Tricrysel Phosphate in the environment. When I was in high school (1955-1958) Shell Oil used TCP as an additive in their gasoline. We used to call it “Tomcat Piss.”
Tricrysel Phosphate was found to have a corrosive effect on non-metal fittings in the fuel lines of then contemporary automobiles; the fiber fittings were literally eaten away by the TCP.
My concern is that with such long exposure to this compound may have had a deleterious affect upon the much larger non-flying general population at large and may be a hidden cause for some maladies considered inexplicable by the medical community.
I do not know when, or if, Shell Oil Co. has discontinued the use of this compound; however, I think it may be of use to consult with the U of W medial staff about this matter.
Cheers,
CACastor -
S. Solomon Says:
February 28th, 2008 at 9:02 amSo silly to link aircraft sickness to just one chemical. As a chemically sensitive person I react to all of the toxins on aircraft…offgassing from carpeting and seating; from substances these are made from that outgas; from fungicides and fire retardants; from the phlalates in the plastics that offgas, from the air fresheners and sprays; from the fragrances used on wet wipes passed out to passengers; from the chemicals people use to launder their clothing; from the poisons in personal care products such as lotions, shampoos, conditioners, fabric softeners; from the fumes from the engines and no doubt from the air bleed chemical that is in the air. I don’t often travel internationally because it makes me too sick for too long. Recently I went to New Zealand from Canada. I returned on January 6th. I am still sick from the flight..ie. dizziness, coordination difficulties, brain fog, emotional roller coaster. The air quality on planes is nothing short of a toxic air soup.
Sue
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DJ Says:
April 9th, 2008 at 7:32 amI am a 15 year flight attendant for a major airline with a diagnosis of RADS due to a toxic incident exposure last year on a MD80 aircraft that filled with a “blue haze” of burning engine oil or hydraulic fluid at 30,000 feet. Passengers and crew suffered eye irratation, nausea and a variety of symptoms after inhaling these fumes for over 40 minutes before landing. Several passengers and myself spent the night in the emergency room and I have suffered with the asthma-like symptoms of RADS (Reactive Airway Disease) ever since. Thank you for your continuing investigation of this health hazard to crew and customers.
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M.B. Says:
April 20th, 2008 at 11:56 amI am a 48 yr. old flight attendant in my 22nd year of flying for a major airline. I am currently on disability with maladies the medical community cannot find answers to. I have suffered for the last 15 years with sinus issues, recurrent sinus infections resulting in 4 surgeries, constant bronchial infections, respiratory distress (several pneumonia episodes each year), and most recently extreme fatigue and muscle/joint pain and weakness. I suffer with pain in my extremities due to unexplained nerve damage. My immune system is so compromised that I catch everything that is out there. I am sick more than I am well and I am currently taking IV chelation treatments for heavy metals found in my blood. I have seen ENTs, Immunologists, Infectious Disease, Rheumetologists, Internal Medicine and Pulmonologists….all of whom have failed to give me a diagnosis. I have no idea where all of this illness and these symptoms have come from because I have been a healthy, active person all of my life. Now I struggle with daily activities and find the need to nap daily. Just last week I spoke with an airline pilot who suggested I get my blood tested for TCP. She said it sounded like the same ailments many other airline crews suffer from resulting from exposure to the MANY toxics on airplanes. How could I have made it this long without hearing about this and never considering my health issues may actually be from my job? So, where and how do I get tested for TCP in my blood? Are there special labs that test for this? Please help~!
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Patricia Davidson Says:
May 1st, 2008 at 3:04 amGARY, YES, MOST DEFINITELY - I AM NOW 100% CONVINCED THAT THE COCKTAIL OF TOXIC FUMES ENTERING THE CABIN ARE THE REASON THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS, AND THE MOST LIKELY CULPRIT APPEARS TO BE THE TCP’S
I work as a Air Hostess on a Privately owned Boeing 737-800 BBJ and for the last few years have been suffering from tingling in my fingers, aches in my forearms particularly. Infact all my muscles in my body feel weakened. Strange but a few years back I had a massage in Germany, the masseuse was serioulsy shocked at the strange tightness of my muscles (the day after a mild yoga class) and actually said I should have myself checked by a Dr. From time to time I have struggle in silence with other various effects on my brain; inability to concentrate, dizziness - real head spinning vertigo when lying in bed and just turning over. Sometimes periods of stuttering (difficulty with speech) & the action of swallowing has been affected. I just tried to tell myself that I was tired/ jet lagged and would feel better in a few days.
Having watched the programme on Panorama, I have been deeply saddened to think that it is most likely that the engine fumes entering the Cabin are the reason I am suffering these serious health issues.Frequently on start up - strong fumes enter the cabin, the smell is always strongest aft of the engines (our galley is in the tail) and I have often complained about this to the Captain and Engineer. None of the cockpit seemed interested and I am sure have never reported this to Boeing.
I would really like to have an appointment with whoever is conducting trials on the subject of TCP poisoning in Humans. Preferably someone in the UK/Europe. Do you have a number/address where I could make this contact?
Many thanks
Patsy
