A new study found that the cabins of airplanes from all nineteen commercial airlines have high levels of flame retardants in their dust. And one was measured at concentrations more than 100 time higher than found in dust collected from homes and offices.
While exposures to the brominated flame retardants (PBDEs) and others used in seats, carpets, walls, overhead bins and pillows have not been associated with any health effects from exposure in the airplane environment, these flame retardants are known to be toxic and cause cancer.
Female flight attendant have a 29 percent higher risk of all cancers, including a 35 percent higher risk of breast cancer than the general public. They also have a 62 percent hight risk of miscarriage and stillbirth than the general public.
