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Bacteria in aircraft a low risk to travelers
Science Daily released an interesting article, based on research conducted at University of Massachusetts Amherst, that shows the low risk of air travel and bacterial illness.
Bacteria that was present in aircraft -- with exotic names like Psuedomonas, Bacillus and Staphylococcus -- are commonly found on healthy skin and not generally causative organisms of disease.
The research team sampled the air from twelve aircraft (Boeing 767) cabins with flight times of 4.5 to 6.5 hours. The samples were taken from the coach section of the plane at 6 different intervals, including boarding, climb, cruise and deplaning. As expected, the highest concentrations of bacteria was found during boarding and deplaning. When the passengers move through the plane, their activity stirs up dust and skin bacteria, releasing it into the cabin air. During the flight, the bacteria levels decreased, likely due to a decrease in activity in the cabin.
Filed under: Travel Health
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
onnie May 8th 2008 4:37PM
bull. i work these flights and can tell you these people fly with all kinds of illnesses. we aren't even aloud to wear gloves when picking up these people's trash. this is why we are always getting sick. i also spied some info recently while in the company clinic about tb cases on our flights. its pretty scary. i know most people don't care whether the flight attendants are getting these illnesses, but you should because i'm serving it right back to you when i serve your food and drinks.
slt May 10th 2008 9:19AM
Amen to you sister, former FA here. Looking into the cracks and crevices on airplanes gally's would tell you something bad is growing there. The general public doesn't care, most are only concerned with sitting on their arses and demanding drinks, food, pillows and blankets.
bill May 10th 2008 10:57AM
glad someone "in the business" replied, why bother publishing such an article it didn't scratch the surface or the issue,wonder why the cockpit have their own seperate supply of oxygen? i fly international so i bring half of these new and interesting disease's home to the u.s. yes it is my choice of occupation but issues like gloves and "the water" are for real. no physical needed to board a plane and for the others who posted, i don't what train line you travel on? and yes ,the ice probably came from the same place the water did and of course we always run out of water and use "tap"..write the airlines !we can board fuel or water or "maybe" your bags,,,you figure it out.fly safe.
Chris May 10th 2008 1:08PM
Bill, for the record, the cockpit does not have it's own oxygen supply (except for bottled emergency oxygen used during decompression), as most modern jets the recirculation system mixes re-cycled cabin and cockpit air together. Also, I expect if there's bacteria in the cabin, it's probably in the cockpit, too. The cockpit is not a hermetically sealed capsule.
So they're found bacteria inside the airplanes. Did these researchers compare this data with the amount of bacteria to be found outside the airplane? How about the boarding area? Or the airport bathrooms? Yes, the cleanliness of airplanes is always a concern, particually when it comes to truly hazardous bacteria, toxins, and viruses, but beyond that I expect you can find microscopic nastiness just about everywhere you go. Isn't that why we have an immune system?
onnie May 8th 2008 4:42PM
oh yeah! i forgot to ask you if you tested the pillows and blankets? did you test the seat cushions? did you test the galley equipment? how about the lavatory? did you check it? its not water on the floor.if you did'nt check this stuff you didn't do a good job. did some airline pay you to write that piece?
Erik McLaughlin May 8th 2008 5:30PM
While I would love to take credit for the actual research and/or pocket a few dollars from an airline company, none of this happened. I was not involved with the actual study.
As careful reading of the article would reveal, the researchers sampled air, looking for bacterial particles. I agree that the article is not a "gold standard" study, but is an important step towards understanding transmission of bacterial illness in confined spaces. By sampling at various locations in the cabin and at different times during the flight, comparisons can be made and a better understanding of inter-cabin air circulation can occur. This is especially important, I feel, for preventing the spread of TB, SARS and other airborne illnesses.
This, to me, will help with designing a safer cabin for all.
Elliea May 10th 2008 6:31AM
Airplanes are horribble. Trains are safer and cleaner. Also The train staff are nicer. Just becuse it takes longer does not meean you are forced to take a train! that is so dumb!
Judyann May 10th 2008 7:51AM
The article is a sham. As travelers my husband and I have gotten sick many times as well as our family members, business associates, and friends and friends of friends! And not just just a couple days of headache, nausea, or the runs but serious flu types lasting for weeks!
dd May 10th 2008 1:04PM
Judyann, most illnesses are transmitted from unwashed hands. Whenever I travel, and in general, I always find an opportunity to wash my hands, or carry antibacterial hand cleanser or wipes; and I refrain from touching my face as much as possible. This is the reality of modern day living. I have seen too many people (women, because I'm one) use the public restroom and walk right out without washing their hands. It's a disgusting habit and how most people transmit disease and why others (such as yourself) get sick.
Linda May 10th 2008 8:33AM
When my husband and I fly just to Florida we can see the dirt and filth that these planes have in them and its no wonder people get sick.. the seats are dirty where people lay their heads which nowadays you are not even given a seat headrest cover ..also the floors where you put your purse is filthy from the person before you as too are the seats filled with pretzels ect..its a real shame that they cant have someone come in after each flight and take a vacumn to the cabin and wipe down the seats real fast.. put hopefully if enough people complain things will get done..
CrabbyGabby May 10th 2008 8:39AM
This worries me. I am planning a long flight later this year, and I don't want or need to get sick on it. I assume if one is vigilant about hand sanitizer, that can help with some bacteria like staph that are spread by contact. I do worry about airborne bacteria and viruses, because you are breathing in recirculated air and are in close contact with so many people in a tin can in the air. I really think this study was not done well, and is not a help to travellers.
Jean May 19th 2008 9:09PM
I am in quite good health, am an avid handwasher, never touch my eyes, nose or mouth, etc, etc. And I can tell you that all that is not enough to keep you healthy on a flight! I get sick after every flight of more than about 2 hours, and otherwise never get sick. Over 3 1/2 years ago I flew from Atlanta to Los Angeles with a sick couple and infant behind me and a sick man across the aisle from me. Even though I had taken Airborne and vitamin C AND covered my headrest and taken every precaution, by the time I had landed and taken a 2-hour car ride to my destination, I couldn't even walk. I collapsed in the floor of the home I was staying at and couldn't get out of bed for the next two weeks. It was the worst flu I had ever had in my entire life. Even worse, when it was over, I continued to cough and have a "bad chest" for 3 months; and I developed a horrible sinus condition that has NEVER gone away. Airlines need to screen passengers. If they feel they must allow contagiously ill passengers to travel, they should isolate them at the back of the plane or something. I hope you fare better on your flight!
spotahottie.com May 10th 2008 9:05AM
When I fly I always carry hand sanitizer. I use it throughout the flight.
Ivan May 10th 2008 9:23AM
You are not even close in accuracy with this article. The bathrooms and pillows and seats should all be tested and then you'll have a more accurate reading of bacterial content. There should be mandatory air cleaners on EVERY plane. Should be a law, but the almighty buck prevents this from happening. Better to give this $ to an executive in the company flying in his own PRIVATE plane or paying off some other "you know who".........
Bill May 10th 2008 2:34PM
We are submitted to airborne bacteria in just about every public place we go. It is not the almighty dollar that prevents making mandatory air cleaners, unless you realize your reasonable air fares would be gone when the cost of upgrading every plane would be passed on to the traveler. The bottom line, do whatever you can to protect yourself when you travel, like washing hands, buy bottled water, or other steps to ensure minimal exposure. This information may help Boeing or other airline builders to consider new designs for the future of our air travel.
stacey May 10th 2008 9:25AM
dont drink the watr.. and the ice cubes ive heard are tainted
s May 10th 2008 2:17PM
the ice cubes are catered in from whatever city you're parked in. there are no ice makers on the plane, it's bags of ice just like your local store carries. i'm a flight attendant---20 years.
david mcdonald May 10th 2008 9:22AM
Elliea Wheer do you get tickets for trans Alantic or Pacific trains ?
Simzeee May 10th 2008 9:23AM
That's ashame you have to work sick. I know the feeling...I do not have sick days & can't call out. (but I do get paid for NOT calling out) Figure that one out.
Studley May 10th 2008 10:03AM
It's a VIRUS PROBLEM..NOT airborne BACTERIA....
Rspiratory viruses are transmitted by air, not bacteria that's by contact. Passengers and crew get "flu" not skin infections. Sure there's bacteria everywhere, some pretty nasty, but only immunocomprimised people need worry about bacterial infections. WE ALL NEED VIRUS PROTECTION (think Ebola and others).