Fumes investigation at London City Airport
12.06.09
Health watchdog the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is to launch tests at London City Airport after a report said that workers and passengers are blighted by toxic fumes. The HSE will conduct tests at the Docklands hub after workers complained of persistent and severe breathing difficulties from aircraft fumes.
Due to a unique parking system for aircraft at the airport, fumes have allegedly been propelled directly into customer lounges, and many members of staff have been taken ill as a result. A report by Professor Douglas of Medical and Professional Services found that staff and passengers were at serious risk from ‘volatile organic compounds’ inside the airport.
A spokesman for the GMB union, which commissioned the report, said: ‘Workers have come to us complaining of stinging eyes, sore throats, itchy skin and in some cases severe breathing difficulties. During winter months the situation is worse because aircraft engines have to be on for longer to warm the aircraft up. Once the fumes get into the lounges it can't get out very easily, so it stays there.’
‘It's not just staff who are at risk, passengers who have to spend any length of time in customer lounges are exposed to toxic fumes. We welcome a decision by the HSE to monitor the airport for pollution.’
A spokeswoman for the airport said: ‘We have had a comprehensive air quality monitoring and management programme in place throughout the airport for a number of years. As part of that programme we have monitored extensively the areas alluded to by the GMB. During that time our records show that we have not breached any statutory air quality limits. The results were made available to staff.’
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