Toxic Air Syndrome

Further news on the toxic air in planes reported today.

The research states that pilots, cabin crew and sometimes passengers can develop nervous system symptoms – such as tremors, unsteadiness and memory loss – after flying on commercial aircraft. However, because of its sporadic nature, the problem so far remains poorly defined. Some people question if it is a real illness.

The report states that “toxins – known as organophosphates” have been identified in the blood and fat of a group of pilots. This finding provides a possible clue as to the cause of the health problems and can be a step towards better defining and understanding the syndrome.

He goes on to say that many people think of pesticides when they hear the term, because a large class of commonly used insecticides are called “organophosphates.” However, the organophosphate chemical in question here is tricresyl phosphate. The substance is not an insecticide. Instead, its chemical properties make it a desirable lubricant additive to hydraulic fluid and engine oil for aircraft.

It is suspected that the tricresyl phosphate enters the cockpit and cabin from air that passes through the engines, which is called bleed air. Normally bleed air is safe to breathe. But if heated oil or hydraulic fluid leaks from the engines, the vapors can enter the plane's air supply, exposing those aboard to the tricresyl phosphate and other fumes. This may be particularly unhealthy, especially for those who spend a lot of time on airplanes.

If you wish to be find out more about what you can do to counter this potential threat to your health then contact info@passport4health.co.uk.

Aerotoxic syndrome

An article reported today in The Telegraph shows fresh concerns regarding air in the cockpit.

A study on 18 pilots carried out by Peter Julu, a consultant neurophysiologist, has found fresh links between fume contamination and chronic medical problems. It is the latest research to be carried out on a phenomenon known as "aerotoxic syndrome" which, campaigners say, could affect 200,000 British travellers a year.

Dr Julu's research comes ahead of the publication of a comprehensive study commissioned by the Department for Transport, which is being carried out by Helen Muir of Cranfield University.
Campaigners believe that the threat to crew and passengers is caused by contaminated air from the engines seeping into the aircraft cabin.

American research on 26 pilots discovered organophosphates in their blood and fatty tissue.
Dr Julu, whose research group included nine participants in the American study, said he found evidence of neurological damage caused by chemical contamination. Complaints from passengers and pilots have included nausea and dizziness both during and after air travel.
However the extent of the problem is still a matter of debate, with the Government's committee on toxicity believing that passengers on one in 2,000 flights could be exposed to toxins in cabin air.

Pilots had reported bad smells or what they believed was contaminated air on a number of aircraft including the Boeing 757, Airbus 319 and BAe 146. However the plane manufacturers deny their aircraft are putting the health of those that fly at risk.

The Committee on Toxicity in its report in 2007, following an extensive review with broad stakeholder input, concluded that there was no evidence that cabin air in general or following fume events causes ill health in aircrew."

So where does that leave the crew and passengers? There is nothing you can do to change the air in the cabin but you can ensure that your body is able to process any potential toxins in the most efficient manner. There is a simple correction that can improve this - contact us at info@passport4health.co.uk.

You can also ensure that you drink plenty of water - the lungs require water to function properly - and take a good multivitamin and mineral to give your body the nutrition it needs to deal with these toxins.

Toxic Air causes health problems?

Do you have any of the following conditions?

Case study 1 (age 36)
Illnesses: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, anaemia, pneumonia/bronchitis, asthma, infertility, chronic fatigue, insomnia, depression, multiple chemical disorder, eczema/psoriasis, IBS/Crohn's disease

"My health has become so bad over the last five years that I've only been able to work half the schedule that I used to. My doctor has attributed my illnesses to exposure to fumes and toxic chemicals on planes. I've been off work for eight months and my company has denied me compensation benefits. I'm about to lose my home."

Case study 2 (age 50)
Illnesses: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, anaemia, pneumonia/bronchitis, asthma, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, thyroid disorder, multiple chemical disorder, breast cancer, osteoporosis, chronic sinusitis, tachycardia, peripheral nerve damage, obstructed lungs

"I had 12 years of ill health that was a mystery until I found out about contaminated air. My GP believes all my health problems have been caused by flying and has written 'Aerotoxic Syndrome' on my medical certificate. I have been on sick leave for over a year and my airline has threatened to terminate my contract on three occasions. "

Case study 3 (age 32)
Illnesses: Pneumonia/bronchitis, osteoarthritis

"I experience extreme fatigue after flying. I have ongoing sinus problems and an increase in cold and flu and I am convinced this is related to flying . I have noticed an impairment in simple mental processes such as memory, mental arithmetic and sometimes even finding the words to speak. Before I began flying I considered myself fairly intelligent and articulate."

Reports in the Telegraph this week highlight the problems with recirculating air into the cabin through the engines. The continues the concerns of the National Research Council in their book The Airliner Cabin Environment and the Health of Passengers and Crew which states that well maintained engines should not pose a problem. They go on to say that engines that are not well maintained are a different issue.

One of the main concerns is an organophosphate that is a neuro toxin. This basically screws with your brain and your nervous system. In someone who is in good health with no respiratory problems the body should be able to handle a small dose but anyone with a weakened immune system, weakened respiratory system or who is exposed on a regular basis will start to show health problems.

Even one dose may be enough for someone who's chemical make-up means that their body processes the organophosphate really ineffectively.

It is really difficult to protect against inhalents but one thing that will improve your risk is to ensure that your body is processing any organophosphate in the most effective way possible. This can be done with a Passport4Health treatment.

For more information see our website www.passport4health.co.uk or contact us at info@passport4health.co.uk.

"Look after your body, it's the only place you have to live." Jim Rohn

"...don't let your health fly away, we provide a safe landing"

Increased risk of cataracts

A recent article highlighted again the increased risk that pilots have over developing cataracts. The article - on MedCastle - listed the factors that increase the risk as follows:

Age

Close relatives who have/had cataracts (family history)

Diabetes

Ionizing radiation exposure – airline pilots have an increased risk of nuclear cataracts compared with non-pilots, and that risk is associated with cumulative exposure to cosmic radiation, scientists from the University of Iceland reported.

Long-term exposure to bright sunlight

Long-term use of corticosteroids – many people with asthma rely on inhaled, and sometimes oral, steroids, as do people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A study conducted by the Centre for Vision Research, University of Sydney, Australia, revealed that cataract risk is higher for patients taking these medications.

Previous eye inflammation

Previous eye injury

Exposure to lead – lifetime lead exposure may increase the risk of developing cataracts, scientists from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA revealed.

Crystallins loss of function – A specific type of protein (crystallins) begins to lose function as the eye ages. As the protein loses function, small peptides, made of 10 to 15 amino acids, start forming and accelerate cataract formation in the eye, a study revealed

There are several ways to protect against this risk - one would be to take a specialist EyeCare product (BioCare do a good one), and to ensure that any stress around the eye area is dealt with by a passport4health practitioner, as well as wearing sunglasses when necessary and keeping your blood sugar levels stable.

If you want to find out more contact us at info@passport4health.co.uk

"....don't let your health fly away, we provide a safe landing."

Beat jet lag with a 30 minute workout

The following piece seen on the web yesterday gives a 30 minute workout to help beat jet lag and also repeats the information on what food to eat to keep you alert.

Jon Denoris, a fitness expert and consultant at Club 51 in Marylebone, specialises in helping business people get the most out of themselves through fitness and nutrition.“I work with a lot of people who can’t afford to suffer from jet lag,” he says. “I’ve found that 30 minutes is the magic time period to get people in the best shape possible for the day.

It needs to be done as close to arrival time as possible, and in daylight, as natural light combined with exercise is a powerful resynchroniser.”Denoris finds that a brisk aerobic workout – depending on how fit you are – is the most effective way of stimulating catecholamines, the hormones that bolster alertness.

You don’t have to be a regular gym-goer to reap the benefits of Denoris’s programmes. One, which caters to business travellers that complain they never see the cities they travel to, is called Beat Me Back. You walk 15-20 minutes away from your hotel, then retrace your steps, trying to return faster than you walked out.

If you’re going to use the unfamiliar hotel gym, Denoris has created an easy programme called 4,5,6 Reverse. You walk in, choose three cardio machines, and do four minutes on the first, five on the second, six on the third; then reverse and repeat, with six minutes on the first and so on. Do this twice and you’ve kept it interesting for yourself and your muscles, and fit a 30-minute cardio workout in.

Finally, interval training is the most intense and effective: warm up for five minutes, then alternate periods of five minutes high with five minutes low intensity for a total of 30 minutes. You can sprint round the park, or treadmill, or even swim for life in the pool.

To supplement your daily 30-minute cardio workout, Denoris recommends thinking about diet too. A carbohydrate-based meal can help induce sleep, while protein-based meals wake you up and will help with alertness. If you’re flying in from a night flight, go for bacon, eggs and yogurt for breakfast. If you need to sleep, go for pasta. “You can never eliminate jet lag,” reminds Denoris. “But combining exercise with the right mix of protein and carbs can make a big difference.”

For more information on jet lag and how to stay healthy whilst flying regularly go to www.passport4health.co.uk.

"...don't let your health fly away. We provide a safe landing."

Rest periods need to be longer between flights for crew

In the US this week the FAA have admitted that the 40 year old rules that govern how long pilots can fly before they rest needs to change. They also state that wages need to be increased to ensure that the best calibre of people are employed as pilots. The article (in full below) goes on to state that if the FAA don't change their rules then Congress should do it for them when it re-authorises the agency later this year.

If you are finding that the number of hours you are flying are making you increasingly tired then a Passport4Health check can ensure that you are back working at the top of your game. Safer for you and your passengers.

Contact info@passport4health.co.uk or see www.passport4health.co.uk for more information.

... don't let your health fly away, we provide a safe landing.


Published: June 16, 2009
The crash near Buffalo of a commuter plane operated by Colgan Air earlier this year killed 50 people and revealed troubling gaps in the nation’s air-safety regulations. Federal officials need to rewrite the decades-old rules that govern how long pilots can fly before they rest.
Federal investigators have good reason to believe that fatigue played a central role in the Buffalo crash. The first officer had flown all night from her home near Seattle to the airport in Newark where the flight originated. The pilot had flown in from Florida and showed signs of fatigue on the cockpit voice recorder.

Since the crash, reports have emerged of poorly paid commuter pilots who hopscotch across the country to work and sleep wherever they can. They sometimes sack out in lounge chairs in airports or on the floors of planes or even in their cars.

The Federal Aviation Administration says that the Colgan crew was working within the existing guidelines that specify how much rest pilots must have between shifts. But those rules were written in the 1940s when we knew far less about the effect of fatigue on concentration than we know today.

Earlier this week, the chief of the F.A.A., J. Randolph Babbitt, said that the rules did not take into account the strain that pilots endure with multiple daily flights, which are sometimes topped by transcontinental commutes to work. Mr. Babbitt also noted that the commuter airlines were not going to get the best professionals with starting salaries of $24,000 a year.

The airline industry has long resisted changes in the rules that govern flight and duty hours. But the picture that has emerged since the Colgan crash shows that commuter pilots are flying too much, sleeping too little and placing passengers at risk. If the F.A.A. does not quickly change the rules, Congress should write new rules when it reauthorizes the agency this year.

Swine flu and what you can do

Two lovely pieces in last week's Daily Telegraph which brings this story more into perspective.

Firstly they reported on the advice from the Chinese health minister.

The Chinese have been recommended to take star anise. This is a spice that the Chinese use anyway and interestingly it is one of the key raw ingredients in the main anti-viral drug (Tamiflu) used to combat the virus.

So if you are worried about catching swine flu then take star anise in supplement form or use it in your cooking. If you have never heard of it it is one of the ingredients in 5 Spice Powder which is more commonly known as a Chinese flavouring. If you want to buy the supplement then please email me and I can arrange it for you.

Secondly there was a report from one of the children who have been confirmed as having swine flu. The 12 year old said that it was no worse than having a bad cold!!

This confirms really that unless you are already ill and therefore immune compromised in some way there really is very little to worry about. Virtually all the people that died in Mexico (where it has apparently ceased spreading) were poor and and would have had low levels of immunity from poor diet and chemical overload - they spray chemicals liberally in many parts of Mexico.

Chemicals in cabin air are neurotoxins

Flight Global reports a US medical researcher is “just months away” from identifying blood markers in the blood of air crew and passengers that would link neurological degeneration to exposure to cabin air that has been contaminated by neurotoxic organophosphates from engine oil. University of Washington professor Clement Furlong explains that “biomarkers” he is studying in the blood of crew and passengers who have suffered neurological degeneration after flying will scientifically link cabin fume events to his patients’ medical condition. Professor of medicinal chemistry at the UK’s Sunderland University, Dr Malcolm Hooper, said “multiple chemical sensitivity” effects on human neurology, such as the now-recognized Gulf War Syndrome, are much more complex than the sum of the effects of the individual chemicals. Research conclusions are due in 2010.

Flying whilst pregnant?

A recent article by a doctor in an American paper answering a question on the harmful effects of cosmic radiaion exposure during flying whilst pregnant.

"Cosmic radiation is a form of radiation that comes from outside the solar system, and from particles released during solar flares. The intensity of cosmic radiation depends on the year (due to solar cycles), altitude, latitude and length of exposure.

While fight crews are classified as “radiation workers” due to the fact that they are exposed to higher natural radiation doses compared to the general public, the health risks associated with these higher exposures remain inconclusive, and it is agreed that even the most frequent air travelers have little or no increased health risk from cosmic radiation exposure. BLOG NOTE: there are lots of scientific papers that disagree with this statement.

However, pregnant air travelers warrant special consideration, since recent studies show that the fetus is exposed to the same amounts of radiation as the mother, and radiation exposures greater than 2 millisievert (radiation dose is measured in millisievert) have been associated with congenital and cognitive problems.

You have nothing to fear in regard to the radiation exposure you and your baby will have during your trip, since it will equate to a flight time of 10.5 hours each way, or 0.1 millisievert exposure each way. However, pregnant woman should have a radiation exposure limit of no more than 1 millisievert during the whole pregnancy, which equates to approximately 200 flight hours during the pregnancy.

Radiation exposure increases during solar flares, so the Federal Aviation Administration notifies air carriers of impending solar flares. That way they can adjust aircraft altitude and limit the extra radiation exposure during such times. However there have been anecdotal reports of air carriers failing to adjust their flight altitudes during solar flares. Pregnant women and air travelers in general can access the solar-radiation alert system online at the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center (www.sec.noaa.gov) before travelling and change flight days accordingly."

Air Crew and Passengers still at risk from contaminated air

The story is still running regarding cabin air quality - this was published in Medical News Today.

Passport4Health cannot improve your cabin air quality but it can improve your body's ability to cope with the toxins from the engine fumes.

Second call for a 'Public Inquiry' into the ongoing exposure of passengers and crews to contaminated air on UK transport aircraft backed by all major opposition parties. The Government refused the call for the Public Inquiry despite acknowledging that oil fumes are reported in 1% of flights (1 in every 100 flights). A year later and the Government has still not taken any action to prevent passengers and crews from being exposed to toxic chemicals in passenger aircraft or to ensure passengers are informed when such exposures have occurred.

They fail to utilize data from international experts and appear designed to protect the airline industry rather than the health and safety of the travelling public and working crews. The German Broadcaster WDR has undertaken swab tests on 30 European passenger aircraft of which 28 positively identified the presence of the neurotoxic and immunotoxic organophosphate chemical, Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP). TCP is present in most commercial jet engine oils.

With a growing number of crews dying and becoming ill with brain tumours and other serious neurological illnesses, why does the Government refuse to agree to an independent epidemiological survey of crews?

"The airline industry funded Civil Aviation Authority has negligently failed to protect the travelling public. There is overwhelming evidence to show that exposure to contaminated cabin air is causing unacceptable risks to health and flight safety and the precautionary principle should be applied. Solutions to resolve this problem such as installing filtration technologies or developing non toxic oils exist and they know it."

All commercial jet aircraft supply breathing air for passengers and crews taken directly from the engines and supplied unfiltered to the passenger cabin. This air, known as 'bleed air' is known to become contaminated with hazardous chemicals present in synthetic jet engine oils and hydraulic fluids. These chemicals include the organophosphates 'tricresyl phosphate' and 'tributyl phosphate'.

For more information and solutions go to www.passport4health.co.uk. Stay fit4flying!

Cabin crew get compensation for breast cancer

Denmark compensates women who developed breast cancer after working nights... but Britain denies there's a risk - reported today in the Mail

Almost 40 air cabin crew, nurses and soldiers received payouts from the Danish government after the World Health Organisation ruled that working at night may have caused the disease.

Night shifts were rated just one rung below asbestos and smoking in the league table of potential cancer triggers. More than 3.5million Britons work nights, which research suggests disrupts production of a hormone that keeps breast tumours in check.

Women over 50 are screened for breast cancer in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive said a link between the cancer and shift work was 'not compelling'

The risk of prostate cancer may also be increased, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the WHO. They commented that disruption to the normal cycle of being awake during the day and asleep at night may suppress the production of the hormone melatonin which has some beneficial effects in preventing some steps leading to cancer.'

Previous studies have shown that breast cancer tumours grow roughly twice as fast as normal when exposed to blood which is low in melatonin.

The Danish government is the first in the world to classify breast cancer among shift workers as an industrial injury.

Those who will receive compensation include Ulla Mahnkop, who developed cancer in both breasts after spending 30 years working as a flight attendant. She said she would have left her job if she had known the dangers. 'I wouldn't have been flying for that many years,' she said. (Note: the risks become cumulative - the longer you fly the higher the risk becomes)

In Britain, a two-year study into the effects of shift work on health has been commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive. However, a spokesman said: 'At the moment, the evidence of a risk is not so compelling that the HSE feels preventive action should be taken in workplaces.'

Professor Andrew Watterson, an occupational health specialist at Stirling University, said: 'I think we can say there is a big public health problem here. The evidence has been good over a long period of time about cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems and nights. But lawyers warned it would be difficult to win a claim in Britain.

When Jet Noise can be Fatal

Nic Fleming of the Daily Telegraph has recently reported that people with high blood pressure are at a higher risk of death if they live near an airport. If planes take off or land nearby whilst you are asleep it raises your blood pressure and for people who already have an elevated pressure this could be dangerous. A study has shown that not only is the pressure raised immediately but if the noise continues then it can become long term.

The Hyena project funded by the European Commission found that living near an airport increased your risk of hypertension (a risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and dementia) by 50%. And for every 10dB increase an average increase in the chances of having hypertension rises by 14%. For those living near an airport (or for crew sleeping in a nearby hotel) this is a cause for concern as night noise levels can increase by up to 30dB as a plane takes off or lands.

Radiation protection from Vitamin D

Individuals with certain variants in a gene involved in vitamin D metabolism might be at an increased risk of developing melanoma, according to a new study. University of Padova researchers in Italy have found that a variant of Bsml gene, involved in vitamin D metabolism, may be linked to skin cancer. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D in the body has significant protective effects against the development of cancer because it regulates cell growth, cell differentiation and cell death. It exerts its effects by binding to a receptor located within cells.

But owing to the genetic differences in this vitamin D receptor among individuals, investigators believe that different people have different levels of vitamin D activity within their bodies. Therefore, some individuals may naturally be able to achieve more vitamin D-related protection against cancer than others.

During the study, lead researchers Simone Mocellin and Donato Nitti reviewed the existing research investigating the association between common variants in the vitamin D receptor and the risk of melanoma. Their analysis showed a significant association between melanoma risk and the BsmI gene.

“These findings prompt further investigation on this subject and indirectly support the hypothesis that sun exposure might have an anti-melanoma effect through activation of the vitamin D system,” the authors wrote.

The study is reported in the November 1, 2008 issue of Cancer. (ANI)


There is an adjustment that can be carried out by a Passport4Health practitioner that will enable the body to handle Vitamin D (both D2 and D3) in the most efficient way possible.

Cosmic radiation damage research in pilots

Hot off the press today - Cosmic radiation damage research in pilots

Reuters Health has reported on a new piece of research written up in Occupational and Environmental Medicine that looked at genetic abnormalities known as chromosome translocations (these increase your risk of cancer) which are caused by exposure to cosmic radiation. They have found that for every 10 years of flying experience you increase your chromosome translocations by 81% - even when the pilots’ ages were factored in. They recommend that further research is done into which cancers are likely to be triggered by these abnormalities.

Solutions to this can be found at www.passport4health.co.uk