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'JET CABIN FUMES CAN BE TOXIC'

British Airways safety chief Mark Mannering-Smith admits vapours have the ability to ‘incapacitate’ flyers

BA slammed as it is revealed drop-down oxygen masks aren't sufficient protection from fumes in event of an emergency

Smoke hood

A BRITISH Airways boss has admitted passengers and crew can be hurt by toxic fumes on flights.

And the airline has been criticised for failing to offer protection to travellers.

Smoke hood
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Smoke hoods ... shock as BA safety chief reveals drop-down oxygen marks wouldn't protect passengers from toxic cabin fumes as well as smoke hoods in the event of an emergency

Mark Mannering-Smith, BA’s head of in-flight safety, said on an internal online forum that cabin fumes can be toxic and “incapacitate” flyers.

He said crew could wear smoke hoods — similar to gas masks — “regardless of customer perception”.

His comments were deleted, but had been saved by staff.

Passengers do not have the same protection with their drop-down oxygen masks.

A senior British Airways insider said: “Oxygen comes from tanks in the hold.

"But the masks they use are designed to allow cabin air in so they do not provide protection from fumes.”

G-YMMR British Airways Boeing 777-236(ER) - cn 36516 / 771 landing at London Heathrow Airport with glow from setting sun
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British Airways has been heavily criticised for failing to protect passengers from danger of toxic fumesCredit: Alamy

Airlines such as BA have not publicly acknowledged an issue with “aerotoxic syndrome” for fear of big compensation claims.

Dee Passon, who has campaigned on the issue after being forced to retire as a BA flight attendant on health grounds, said 412 crew had died between 2006 and 2014, some in their 20s and 30s.

Young male looking concerned at the oxygen mask
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Drop-down oxygen masks don't do the trick ... according to the Civil Aviation Authority, there are at least five fume events a week on UK flightsCredit: Getty Images

She does not suggest every death is due to aerotoxic syndrome but believes it is a factor.

She said: “BA knows fumes are happening but does not provide protection for their passengers.”

The Civil Aviation Authority says there are at least five fume events a week on UK flights.

BA said last night: “Our safety equipment and training exceed required industry standards.”

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