Frequent Flyer Business Travelers: Major Exposure Hazards

Abstract

lobalization increases the connections and interdependence of world business. Advances in air travel technology and accessibility have resulted in the acceptance of travel as a typical job task. The purpose of this article is to present a review of the recent literature on the hazards faced by the frequent flyer business traveler, The hazards are discussed using biological and infectious, chemical, enviromechanical, physical, and psychosocial classifications. Also reviewed arc the pre-existing risk factors of diabetes. cardiac disease. respiratory disease, pregnancy, and hypersensitivity disease. The TImet lnclustry® Dictio/ICIIY (2003) defines the frequent flyer as "the business person who travels often by air, especially on one airline, and is enrolled in an airline's frequent t1yer program" (p. I). Traveling wisely can be defined as the ability of the worker to consider health and safety issues as an essential part of travel arrangements. to be aware of preventable consequences of air travel hazards, and to arrive at the global destination ready to make critical business decisions. For many businesses, the ability to travel wisely has become a core competency that is un integral part of employees' job descriptions.

Promoting Health and Safety for Traveling and Commuting Employees

“…These hazards stem from the aircraft environment itself and from employees' preexisting health conditions that may directly influence their susceptibility to these hazards (e.g., infectious, biological, chemical, enviromechanical, physi- cal, and psychosocial hazards) (Sidebar). Preexisting health conditions noted to influence hazard susceptibility include diabetes, pregnancy, and cardiorespiratory and hypersensitivity diseases (Tompkins, Randolph, & Ostendorf, 2005a). Tompkins et al (2005a) identified the most common biological hazards in the aircraft environment as aeroallergens (specifically, cat, dust mite, and peanut allergens).…”

“…Preexisting health conditions noted to influence hazard susceptibility include diabetes, pregnancy, and cardiorespiratory and hypersensitivity diseases (Tompkins, Randolph, & Ostendorf, 2005a). Tompkins et al (2005a) identified the most common biological hazards in the aircraft environment as aeroallergens (specifically, cat, dust mite, and peanut allergens). They found that airline passengers with peanut allergies seldom notified aircraft personnel, even though their reactions were severe enough to require medication.…”

“…Aircraft chemical hazards can cause direct adverse health effects and include ozone exposure from flying at high altitudes and the materials used in aircraft components (i.e., plasticizers, anticorrosive or antimicrobial coatings, and plastic resins). The health effects of these hazards include impaired pulmonary and olfactory function and airway irritation (Tompkins et al, 2005a).…”

“…However, research studies support a greater potential of developing DVT in-flight because of decreased air pressure, decreased oxygen, lower humidity, restricted movement, and cramped seating if employees have predisposing risk factors. Predisposing risk factors linked to DVT include obesity, chronic heart disease, diabetes, hormone replacement therapy, cancer, previous DVT history, and pregnancy (Tompkins et al, 2005a). To alleviate muscle fatigue and prevent DVT, employees should do simple exercises (i.e., ankle circles, foot pumps, knee lifts, knees to chest, shoulder rolls, neck rolls, and forward flexing) when sitting is required during flight (Ball, 2003).…”

“…Of the physical hazard exposures associated with air travel, only cabin air pressure and noise demonstrate any potential for harm. Cabin air pressure fluctuates with airplane ascent and descent, expanding air in the gastrointestinal tract, sinuses, and ears by 25% (Tompkins et al, 2005a). As a result, workers with upper respiratory tract infections are susceptible to eardrum barotraumas and perforations from their inability to equalize inner ear pressure.…”