Hotmail
Little stowaways: Bugs on planes
Now, about those pesticides.
Have you ever seen flight attendants walk down the aisles spraying pesticides into the air vents? This practice has mostly been discontinued, but many countries used to require it as a way of keeping foreign bugs from landing on their soil. The only countries that still require in-flight spraying are Grenada, India, Kiribati, Madagascar, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. Another six countries — Australia, Barbados, Fiji, Jamaica, New Zealand and Panama — require the use of "residual" pesticides, i.e., pesticides that are swabbed or sprayed onto the surfaces of the cabin before the flight and then allowed to dry. Those are the six countries I know of, but there may be more. But those are just the legal requirements. The fact is, many airlines routinely spray all of their airplanes as a matter of company policy.
Residual pesticides are usually applied shortly before the crew and passengers board the airplane. The solution most commonly used contains 2 percent permethrin, a chemical that kills insects by paralyzing their nervous systems. Human babies and children are said to be more sensitive to the effects of this chemical than adults. Many believe that pesticides cause even greater harm on airplanes, where up to 50 percent of the cabin air is recycled. Most pesticides break down slowly in the enclosed, poorly ventilated aircraft. Plus, insects rapidly develop a resistance to pesticides.
The airlines are not required to inform passengers of flight sprays when they purchase their tickets, and there is no control over how much pesticide is applied on the aircraft. Overspraying is not unheard of. Crews and passengers have reported sinus problems, swollen and itchy eyes, coughs, difficulty breathing, sore throats, skin rashes, severe headaches and fatigue, as well as heightened sensitivity to other chemicals. Some crew members have medical documentation of reactions consistent with nerve gas exposure, such as blood, optic nerve and nervous system abnormalities. If you routinely feel poorly after landing, this could be why.
If you are concerned, what can you do?
* Ask questions. Contact the airline to find out if pesticides will be sprayed on your flight, or if you will be boarding a "residually sprayed" craft. The customer service agent might not know the answer, but might transfer you to somebody who does. If the airlines receive enough inquiries about pesticides, they might try harder to get consumers the correct information.
* Look it up. The U.S. Department of Transportation Web site lists countries that require spraying and the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network has this factsheet on permethrin.
* Avoid the spray. If flight attendants are required to spray a pesticide in flight they will usually make an announcement 10 minutes beforehand. If you are sensitive, cover your nose and mouth with a wet paper towel and point your air vent to the side of your face.
* Medicate. Cold and allergy products have been deemed effective in treating some of the effects brought on by residual spraying.
|
|
James Wysong has worked as a flight attendant with two major international carriers during the past fifteen years. He is the author of the "The Plane Truth: Shift Happens at 35,000 Feet" and "The Air Traveler's Survival Guide." For more information about James or his books, please visit his Web site or e-mail him.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM TIPS |
 Tips Section Front |
| Add Tips headlines to your news reader: |
Resource guide