Coroner’s concerns over air merits public inquiry
General union Unite repeated its call for a public inquiry into toxic cabin air after a senior coroner agreed to send a letter of concern and warn of the need for additional tests to take place where a death is suspected to relate to toxic cabin air on board aircraft.
The union says the letter, written by the senior coroner in the inquest into the death of Unite and British Airways cabin crew member Matthew Bass, is unprecedented and recognises that exposure to toxic cabin air does lead to a clinical impact on the body.
The union is currently taking more than 100 legal cases on behalf of cabin crew who have been involved in fume events and suffered ill health.
“All coroners will now be made aware of toxic cabin air and should commit to additional testing so we can get a greater understanding of its effects on cabin crew,” said Unite assistant general secretary for legal services Howard Beckett.
“The senior coroner’s letter of concern should act as a catalyst for a public inquiry into an issue the airline industry has consistently tried to brush under the carpet. Toxic cabin air is real and is damaging lives. The airline industry needs to face up to its responsibilities and deal with it.”