Plane toxins 'brain damage link' (pilots)

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8270972.stm


Toxins found in airliner air systems can be linked to the neurological symptoms suffered by some pilots, according to researchers.


For years pilots and cabin crew have blamed their long-term exposure to jet engine fumes for symptoms such as memory loss and muscle spasms.

Now a neurophysiologist says the symptoms can only be explained by exposure to onboard organophosphates.

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It is estimated that about one in 2,000 flights have the toxins present in their air supplies.

As many as 200,000 British travellers could be exposed every year.

'Aerotoxic Syndrome'

A few years ago American researchers found the organophosphates in the blood and fatty tissue of 26 pilots.

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'Healthy and safe'

In 2004, the British Airline Pilots Association highlighted two aircraft the BAE 146 and the Boeing 757 as causing the most problems.

A spokesman for BAE said it has trialled a new air filtration system which is currently being fitted to aircraft.
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