We all know that flying comes with risks, but some risks aren’t well known. There is a well-kept secret in the commercial airline industry that airline passengers and employees should know: cabin air breathed by passengers and flight crew is usually drawn from the engine compartment and can become contaminated with toxic by-products from jet engine oil. Many passengers and airline employees alike are exposed to this contaminated cabin air in what is now known as “fume events.” Long-term exposure to toxic cabin air can have serious health effects.

The term Aerotoxic Syndrome describes acquired acute and chronic illness caused by exposure to these toxic oil fumes. Symptoms of Aerotoxic Syndrome include nausea, vomiting, rashes, dizziness, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, headaches, blurred vision, gastrointestinal difficulties, decreased motor skills, numbness and tingling in arms, hands and feet, joint and muscle pain, tremors, balance problems and cognitive impairment, such as, memory loss, trouble concentrating and difficulty with reading or writing.

Over the past several decades, the commercial airline industry has been called out and brought to court dozens of times. Investigations have confirmed that major airline manufacturers have been aware that fume events occur aboard their aircrafts, causing toxic air to enter the cabin, but most have not installed the special filters that have been designed to stop it on domestic flights. Nor have they redesigned the cabin air intake system or installed alarms or sensors so the flight crew and passengers could receive immediate warnings of a fume event and take countermeasures.