Ocular, nasal, dermal and general symptoms among commercial airline crews

Lindgren, Torsten; Andersson, Kjell; Dammström, Bo-Göran; Norbäck, Dan

doi:10.1007/s00420-002-0330-8

Cited by 38 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…We found a significant increase in frequency of nasal congestion, throat or eye irritation symptoms associated with duration of time as a flight attendant in the pre-smoking ban era. This finding is consistent with previous findings of increased risk of upper respiratory symptoms related to SHS exposure in general populations [28-32] and amongst flight attendants [13,24,33,34]. SHS is capable of inducing changes in the nasal mucosa by inducing biofilm formation, which may alter the nasal flora and perpetuate illness [35].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Associations between respiratory illnesses and secondhand smoke exposure in flight attendants: A cross-sectional analysis of the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute Survey

Haight

Redberg

2011

Environ Health

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BackgroundSecondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) is associated with increased risk of respiratory illness, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Prior to smoking bans on airlines in the late 1980s, flight attendants were exposed to a significant amount of SHS. In the present study, we examine associations between flight attendant SHS exposure and development of respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular disease.MethodsBetween December 2006 and October 2010, three hundred sixty-two flight attendants completed an online questionnaire with information regarding experience as a flight attendant, medical history, smoking history, and SHS exposure. Rates of illnesses in flight attendants were compared with an age and smoking history matched population sample from NHANES 2005-2006. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of reported medical conditions and pre-ban years of exposure.ResultsCompared with the sample from NHANES 2005-2006, flight attendants had increased prevalence of chronic bronchitis (11.7% vs. 7.2%, p < 0.05), emphysema/COPD (3.2% vs. 0.9%, p < 0.03), and sinus problems (31.5% vs. 20.9%, p < 0.002), despite a lower prevalence of medical illnesses including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart failure, cancer, and thyroid disease. Amongst flight attendants who reported never smoking over their lifetimes, there was not a significant association between years of service as a flight attendant in the pre-smoking ban era and illnesses. However, in this same group, there was a significantly increased risk of daily symptoms (vs. no symptoms) of nasal congestion, throat, or eye irritation per 10-year increase of years of service as a flight attendant prior to the smoking ban (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.41 - 3.24).ConclusionsFlight attendants experience increased rates of respiratory illnesses compared to a population sample. The frequency of symptoms of nasal congestion, throat or eye irritation is associated with occupational SHS exposure in the pre-smoking ban era.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Associations between respiratory illnesses and secondhand smoke exposure in flight attendants: A cross-sectional analysis of the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute Survey

Haight

Redberg

2011

Environ Health

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“…Several other variables may be important when attempting to explain the observed symptoms. These include stress, work control and satisfaction, seat comfort, baseline health (prior to the flight) and history of atopy [ 32 , 52 , 66 , 67 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Cabin Ozone Concentrations on Passenger Reported Symptoms in Commercial Aircraft

Bekö

Allen²,

Weschler

et al. 2015

PLoS ONE

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Due to elevated ozone concentrations at high altitudes, the adverse effect of ozone on air quality, human perception and health may be more pronounced in aircraft cabins. The association between ozone and passenger-reported symptoms has not been investigated under real conditions since smoking was banned on aircraft and ozone converters became more common. Indoor environmental parameters were measured at cruising altitude on 83 US domestic and international flights. Passengers completed a questionnaire about symptoms and satisfaction with the indoor air quality. Average ozone concentrations were relatively low (median: 9.5 ppb). On thirteen flights (16%) ozone levels exceeded 60 ppb, while the highest peak level reached 256 ppb for a single flight. The most commonly reported symptoms were dry mouth or lips (26%), dry eyes (22.1%) and nasal stuffiness (18.9%). 46% of passengers reported at least one symptom related to the eyes or mouth. A third of the passengers reported at least one upper respiratory symptom. Using multivariate logistic (individual symptoms) and linear (aggregated continuous symptom variables) regression, ozone was consistently associated with symptoms related to the eyes and certain upper respiratory endpoints. A concentration-response relationship was observed for nasal stuffiness and eye and upper respiratory symptom indicators. Average ozone levels, as opposed to peak concentrations, exhibited slightly weaker associations. Medium and long duration flights were significantly associated with more symptoms compared to short flights. The relationship between ultrafine particles and ozone on flights without meal service was indicative of ozone-initiated chemistry.

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“…Another study compared flight attendants who worked on the airplanes where the relative humidity 5–25 % to common office workers in a general office. The odds ratios of facial and hand skin discomfort were 2.03 and 3.68, respectively higher among flight attendants than those of office workers [7]. Working in a low humidity environment is a risk factor of sick building syndrome [5], and main complaints are eyes or skin dryness and symptoms such as fatigue, headache, or myalgia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the dermatologic life quality among cleanroom workers in a secondary battery factory

Cheon

Uhm

Kang

et al. 2016

Ann of Occup and Environ Med

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Background: Cleanroom air is extremely dry, as it is maintained within 1 % of relative humidity. Few studies have assessed the dermatologic life quality of workers in ultralow-humidity environments. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the dermatologic life quality of cleanroom workers using the Skindex-29, compared to those of noncleanroom workers. Methods: Study participants were 501 cleanroom workers and 157 non-cleanroom workers from a secondary battery factory, who underwent an employee health examination at a single university hospital from September 2014 to September 2015. Results of the self-administered Skindex-29, and McMonnies questionnaire were analyzed. Other information and disease history were also collected during physician's medical examination. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: The Skindex-29 score was significantly higher in cleanroom workers than in non-cleanroom workers for all domains, Symptom (16.0 ± 15.9

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Ocular, nasal, dermal and general symptoms among commercial airline crews

Abstract: There was an association between symptoms and work stress, lack of influence on working conditions, atopy, and work on intercontinental flights where smoking was allowed. In view of the increase of civil aviation, the working conditions for aircrews need further attention.

Cited by 38 publications

References 34 publications

Associations between respiratory illnesses and secondhand smoke exposure in flight attendants: A cross-sectional analysis of the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute Survey

Associations between respiratory illnesses and secondhand smoke exposure in flight attendants: A cross-sectional analysis of the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute Survey

Impact of Cabin Ozone Concentrations on Passenger Reported Symptoms in Commercial Aircraft

Evaluation of the dermatologic life quality among cleanroom workers in a secondary battery factory

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