Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that fume events on aircraft are investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Maintaining the safety record of UK aviation is something we take very seriously. That is why concerns raised about cabin air have been investigated at length over a number of years. These scientific research projects have not been able to confirm a link between perceived cabin air quality and illness. The results have shown that the cabin/cockpit air quality is similar or better than what is observed in normal indoor environments (offices, schools, or dwellings). No occupational exposure limits and guidelines were exceeded.

However, the Government supports further research being conducted by the European Aviation Safety Agency to test the chemical composition and possible toxicity of air samples to assess the potential health impact as well as mitigation measures.

At a national level, the Aviation Health Unit within the Medical Department of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will continue to monitor issues around cabin air as part of their wider role as specialist adviser to the Government on aviation health issues.