Aviation Health Working Group Research Sub Group minutes: 6 October 2006

Notes from the Meeting held on 6 October 2006

Present

Chair	Dr Bill Maton-Howarth	DoH	BMH
	Dr Ursula Wells	DoH	UW
	Sandra Webber	DfT	SW
	Andrew Ashbourne	DfT	AA
	Abimbola Alli	DfT	AA
	Dr Ray Johnston	CAA/AHU	RJ
	Dr Mark Popplestone	BA	MP
	Tim Bamber	BALPA	TM

Item 1: Introductions

1.0 BMH opened the meeting by advising that he is changing some of his work responsibilities and will be replaced as the DH contact for Aviation health, including as chair of the Research sub-group by Ursula Wells.

1.1 BMH gave a précis of the work of the research sub-group since its inception including and up to its request for advice from the COT.

1.2 The RSG was set up to support the main Aviation Health Working Group which was set up in 2001 in response to recommendations from the House of Lords report in 2000, and the research agenda that arose from the HOL. BMH explained that during the first two years the RSG focused on DVT as well as a range of topics including air quality. This resulted in research into the "Possible Effects on Health of Aircraft Cabin Environments", and most recently, COT work on Cabin Air.

1.3 Since 2004, the RSG has held 3 meetings; March 2004, July 2005 and Sept 2005. All of which discussed the need to consider cabin air contamination from a broader perspective, and the need to close any information gaps and improve the evidence base. This led to a draft research specification and subsequent referral for independent scientific advice from the COT, in 2005. During this process, the British Air Line Pilots Association and other interested parties were asked to submit evidence to COT for consideration.

1.4 Following the first COT meeting held on 11 July 2006 potential research areas were identified as beneficial to understanding the effect of fume events. With this in mind, the group has reconvened to consider the proposals including the draft specification on cabin air quality in-flight measurement, drafted by the previous head of the AHU.

Item 2: Update on Progress of COT

2.0 The COT is looking to produce a paper for the meeting scheduled for 5 December and are working towards issuing a statement by spring 2007. To that end, meetings were organised with interested parties including the CAA whom they met on 3 August.

2.1 DoH has asked the COT for guidance on research and research priorities before 5 December.

2.2 DfT raised concerns about waiting till spring 2007 to take action on possible research; it was suggested that the RSG meet again before the next COT concludes its work to start drafting an agreed research specification, which could be forwarded to the COT for consideration and commenting.

Item 3: DfT report on conference call with FAA

3.0 DfT gave a brief overview of events leading to the conference call with the FAA.

3.1 At a meeting between DfT and FAA’s London attachè, it was acknowledged that potential benefits may arise from a UK/FAA research; however DfT did highlight a number of concerns, such as:

assurance that the research is open minded and looks for a wide range of potential compounds
efficacy of the Van Netten device, which is triggered manually, and
the official representation of airlines.

It was agreed that more detailed discussions were required.

3.2 A further meeting held with the FAA attaché to the UK, eventually led to the conference call with FAA officials in Washington. The main points arising from the conference were:

overall responsibility for the project in the US rests with FAA;
FAA are keen for UK airlines to participate in the research;
FAA have tentative agreement of some US airlines to partake in the research;
FAA to meet with CAA to discuss the terms of the research that would precipitate UK airlines involvement;
consideration for an automated device (as opposed to manual) that could pick-up background and incidents;
requirement for analytical specification, which researchers had agreed;
confirmation that the proposed medical protocol is in the final stages of development.
DfT advised that the new BALPA representative for Cabin Air issues is Dr Tim Bamber.

3.3 BALPA raised concerns about a manually triggered device and the time line for testing. For example would tests be carried out on take-off, in-flight or on descent?

3.4 In conclusion, the general view was that stakeholders would welcome participation in the FAA research subject to practicalities, and provided the research is conducted under strict scientific control.

3.5 It was suggested that the Group continue consideration of UK only research in parallel with the FAA research. However, it was noted that any requirement to undertake competitive tendering could present timing complications.

Item 4: Draft specification on cabin air measurements during fume events

4.1 Discussion followed on the draft specification for cabin air fume events. This led to a number of recommendations. However, it was recognised that the specification had been drafted before the COT enquiry and might need substantial re-wording.

It was agreed that DoH would incorporate the recommendations into the proposal and recirculate to members of the sub-group.

Item 5: Medical Protocol

5.0 The group agreed to reserve comments on the medical protocol until CAA receives the FAA protocol.

Item 6: Research proposal by Dr Zuckerman

6.0 The Chair asked if the group had considered the research proposal from Dr Zuckerman, which looks at the transmission of respiratory infections by air travel.

6.1 It was agreed that the proposal would be of some benefit, but also raised a number of concerns.

6.1 It was suggested that other forms of travel be included in the research.

6.2 The group agreed that there were potential issues, which good quality research could tease out. However further work is required and funding could not be justified in this instance.

Action for the DoH

To advise Dr Zuckerman of the group's decision, and to forward the group's concerns about the research.