RE: Hayes K, Megson D, Doyle A, O'Sullivan G. Occupational risk of organophosphates and other chemical and radiative exposure in the aircraft cabin: A systematic review. Sci Total Environ. 2021 Nov 20;796:148742. http://doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148742. Epub 2021 Jun 28. PMID: 34375198

Citation

Anderson J & Michaelis S (2022) RE: Hayes K, Megson D, Doyle A, O'Sullivan G. Occupational risk of organophosphates and other chemical and radiative exposure in the aircraft cabin: A systematic review. Sci Total Environ. 2021 Nov 20;796:148742. http://doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148742. Epub 2021 Jun 28. PMID: 34375198. Science of the Total Environment, 831, Art. No.: 154718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154718

Abstract
First paragraph: Attempting to synthesize the research on chemical and radiation exposures in the aircraft to determine the occupational health risks to crewmembers and knowledge gaps for future research is a noble goal (Hayes et al., 2021). The authors' focus on exposure to chemicals sourced to engine oil fumes in the ventilation supply air is particularly needed, given the long history of reported crew health and flight safety concerns that have been attributed to that exposure source, but that have not yet been controlled with meaningful modifications to the design or operation of those systems (Michaelis et al., 2017). However, we have concerns over aspects of the methodology, interpretation of the data, and the claims and conclusions that the authors made, all of which we describe in this letter.

Journal
Science of the Total Environment: Volume 831

People

Dr Susan Michaelis

Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Health Sciences Stirling