Cabin air quality – Quantitative comparison of volatile air contaminants at different flight phases during 177 commercial flights

Quantitative assessment of human exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC), such as tricresyl phosphates (TCP) that may originate from engine oil contamination of the cabin air, during air travel is challenging due to the technical complexity of the air supply in commercial jet aircraft. Normal flight operations involve reduced air exchange before and during takeoff, which results in increased concentrations of potential cabin air pollutants. During cruise, normal ventilation rates (>20 h− 1) are reestablished and thus lower pollutant concentrations are also reestablished. This relationship between changes in ventilation rate and associated changes in pollutant concentrations during the departure phase is first described in the present study, although this effect was found by previous studies that investigated distinct flight phases.