HC Deb 09 February 2004 vol 417 cc1233-4W
Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what action the Civil Aviation Authority intends to take about official under-reporting of oil fume exposures by aircrews; [153410]

(2) what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the Civil Aviation Authority has details of all (a) defect reports, (b) air safety reports and (c) mandatory occurrence reporting reports during 2003 regarding fume, smoke or oil leak incidents relating to the (i) BAE 146 and (ii) Boeing 757 aircraft. [153414]

Mr. McNulty

The CAA receives over 9,000 mandatory occurrence reports each year and is not aware of any under reporting of oil fume exposures by aircrew.

The current statutory framework ensures that the Civil Aviation Authority receives the data it requires on incidents that can affect flight safety. The Air Navigation (General) Regulations 1993 prescribe the mandatory reporting to the Authority of any hazardous, or potentially hazardous, defects encountered during aircraft operations or maintenance. Specifically Article 17(c) requires the reporting of any occurrence involving the impairment during a flight of the capacity of a member of the flight crew to undertake properly his or her functions. In addition, the Civil Air Publication CAP 382 "Mandatory Occurrence Scheme" gives detailed information and guidance that backs up the Air Navigation (General) Regulations 1993. Appendix B of CAP 382 includes a requirement to report each occurrence of smoke or noxious fumes in the aircraft that resulted in the use of emergency equipment or procedures.

Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps(a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority have taken to ensure that (i) aircrews and (ii) passengers are fully aware of the need to seek appropriate medical advice and assistance to avoid long term ill health following cabin fume incidents. [153411]

Mr. McNulty

The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's report on Air Travel and Health, November 2000, looked into the health aspects of air travel including cabin air quality. Several studies on cabin air have been carried out but have revealed no evidence that fumes would be a hazard to the long-term health of passengers. The Civil Aviation Authority is not aware of any adverse long-term health effects in flight crew that can be traced back to the cabin environment.

Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research the Civil Aviation Authority has undertaken on the chronic low dose effects of repeat inhalation by aircrews of organophosphates and other substances leaking from engine oil into aircraft air supplies. [153413]

Mr. McNulty

The Civil Aviation Authority has recently investigated cabin air contaminants after a small number of events where flight crew reported the presence of fumes in the cockpit. Other, more broadly-based, international research into aircraft cabin air quality has not shown the presence of organophosphates or any other dangerous engine oil-related substances leaking into the cabin air system on a regular, repeated or continuous basis.