Flying and Dying

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ironjustice - 26 May 2008 18:34 GMT

They've decided to NOT raise the cabin pressure ..
Not enough evidence ..
They aren't counting the db's .. just the cash ..

Reminds me of the water heaters which had the 'defect' .. they decided
it was "cheaper" to pay off the explosions and screaming deaths than
to recall.

"8000 ft has been accepted as the maximum operational cabin pressure
altitude in the airline industry."

"On the basis of our findings, we conclude that maintaining a cabin
altitude of 6,000 feet or lower (equivalent to a barometric pressure
of 609 mm Hg or higher) on long-duration commercial flights will
reduce the discomfort among passengers,"

Cabin cruising altitudes for regular transport aircraft. [Journal
Article]
Aviat Space Environ Med 2008 Apr; 79(4):433-9.

The adverse physiological effects of flight, caused by ascent to
altitude and its associated reduction in barometric pressure, have
been known since the first manned balloon flights in the 19th
century.
It soon became apparent that the way to protect the occupant of an
aircraft from the effects of ascent to altitude was to enclose either
the individual, or the cabin, in a sealed or pressurized environment.
Of primary concern in commercial airline transport operations is the
selection of a suitable cabin pressurization schedule that assures
adequate oxygen partial pressures for all intended occupants.
For the past several decades, 8000 ft has been accepted as the maximum
operational cabin pressure altitude in the airline industry.
More recent research findings on the physiological and psycho-
physiological effects of mild hypoxia have provided cause for renewed
discussion of the "acceptability" of a maximum cabin cruise altitude
of 8000 ft; however, we did not find sufficient scientific data to
recommend a change in the cabin altitude of transport category
aircraft.
The Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) should support further
research to evaluate the safety, performance and comfort of occupants
at altitudes between 5000 and 10,000 ft.

Aviation, space, and environmental medicine [Aviat Space Environ Med]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Long flights cause altitude sickness
6 Jul 2007, 0002 hrs IST,REUTERS

BOSTON: Feeling a little achy, light headed or short of breath on a
long plane flight? A new study suggests you might be suffering from a
mild form of altitude sickness.

Until now, such symptoms had been attributed to jet lag, dehydration,
air contamination or being stuck in a cramped seat for hours.

Researchers report that true altitude sickness - with its nausea,
vomiting and sleep disturbances - was no more likely in volunteers in
simulated airplane cabins where the pressure was equivalent to 8,000
feet above sea level than it was when the pressure was closer to sea
level.

But after three hours of exposure to cabin pressures equivalent to
7,000 to 8,000 feet, the simulated fliers were more likely than
others to report backaches, headaches, shortness of breath, light-
headedness
and impaired coordination.

Women and younger people were the most likely to experience symptoms.
"On the basis of our findings, we conclude that maintaining a cabin
altitude of 6,000 feet or lower (equivalent to a barometric pressure
of 609 mm Hg or higher) on long-duration commercial flights will
reduce the discomfort among passengers," wrote Michael Muhm and
colleagues.

-----------------------------------

Briefs: Flying may pose risk to sleep apnea sufferers
By Times Staff, Wires
In print: Friday, May 23, 2008

Flying may pose risk to sleep apnea sufferers

People with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) taking airline
flights may have a greater risk from cardiac stress than healthy
people, according to new research.
The scientists compared oxygen levels and breathing by simulating
flight conditions.
"It is normal for the rate of breathing to increase when air pressure
falls,'' said Leigh Seccombe, an Australian scientist.
"We found that (for those with OSA), their breathing intensity
increases at about the same rate as it does in healthy people." But
the physiological stress and demand for oxygen was increased in people
with OSA.
"The work they do to run the core range of body functions (heart,
lungs, brain) is much greater under cabin conditions.''

Who loves ya.
Tom

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