Dear TWU Members & Allies,
It’s time to take action to end the threat of toxic fumes onboard our aircraft. You may have seen several stories about diverted aircraft from all airline carriers in the US and abroad in the news recently due to “toxic fumes.” These fumes cause serious health concerns and are not monitored at all onboard aircraft.
Passengers are often unaware that the air they breathe on board is circulated through a “bleed air system.” This system heats outside air over the engines and, at times, seeps toxic fumes into the cabin. These fumes can cause major health issues and can end careers of flight attendants who may face exposure for extended periods of time.
These fumes can smell like dirty socks or other everyday items – often causing people to ignore this life-threatening issue. Frequent flyers and other passengers may mistake the symptoms of toxic fume exposure for jetlag. In fact, travelers are at equal risk to the negative health effects from these fumes.
Federal legislation has been re-introduced in the U.S. Congress to address this issue. The Cabin Air Safety Act, sponsored by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representative John Garamendi (D-CA), would help set our cabin air on a path to being healthy and safe. The TWU fully endorses this important bill as a first step to ensuring our cabin air is healthy and safe.
Will you send a letter to your elected official asking them to endorse The Cabin Air Safety Act?
Click here to get started.
In Solidarity,
The TWU Government Affairs Department