Air quality and ocular discomfort aboard commercial aircraft.
BACKGROUND
Aircraft cabin air quality has been a subject of recent public health interest. Aircraft environments are designed according to standards to ensure the comfort and well-being of the occupants. The upper and lower limits of humidity set by ASHRAE standards are based on the maintenance of acceptable thermal conditions established solely on comfort considerations, including thermal sensation, skin wetness, skin dryness, dry eyes and ocular discomfort. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of air (carbon dioxide level, relative humidity, and temperature) aboard commercial aircraft on ocular discomfort and dry eye of aircraft personnel and passengers.


METHODS
Measurements of indoor air quality were performed in 15 different aircraft at different times and altitudes. Forty-two measurements of carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity were performed with portable air samplers every 5 minutes. Passenger loads did not exceed 137 passengers.


RESULTS
Thermal comfort rarely met ASHRAE standards. Low humidity levels and high carbon dioxide levels were found on the Airbus 320. The DC-9 had the highest humidity level and the Boeing-767 had the lowest carbon dioxide level.


CONCLUSIONS
Air quality was poorest on the Airbus 320 aircraft. This poor level of air quality may cause intolerance to contact lenses, dry eyes, and may be a health hazard to both passengers and crew members. Improved ventilation and aircraft cabin micro-environments need to be made for the health and comfort of the occupants.
Backman
H
H
Pierrefonds Medical Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
Haghighat
F
F
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000401:Aircraft / Q000592:standards*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D013696:Temperature
D002245:Carbon Dioxide