Well-Attended Information Evening on Contaminated Cabin Air in Badhoevedorp
On Thursday evening, 7 May, Fly Aware Foundation organized an information evening on contaminated cabin air at the Badhoevedorp Community Centre “het Dorpshuis”. The event was well attended and featured a strong and informative program, bringing together personal experiences, technical expertise, medical perspectives, and practical insights. The event was conducted in Dutch, hence the illustrations shown here are also in Dutch only.
Diverse program
Nine Years of Fly Aware Foundation
The evening opened with a brief presentation by our Secretary, Annie de Vries, on the origins and activities of the Fly Aware Foundation. She reflected on the foundation’s many years of work to raise awareness of contaminated cabin air and its potential health effects.
Personal story
Former pilot Ap van de Kraats shared his personal story. He spoke not only about his firsthand experiences in the aviation industry but also about the importance of awareness and safety measures during potential fume events.
The slogan, “Seatbelts on -> mask on” resonated strongly with many of those in attendance.
The Underlying Problem
This was followed by an in-depth technical presentation by former aviation technician Marko Tesselaar. He explained how bleed air systems operate, discussed the possible causes of cabin air contamination, and reviewed a range of completed and ongoing studies within the aviation industry.
Medical Perspectives
After the break, the focus shifted to the medical and neurological aspects of contaminated cabin air exposure. Dr. John Midavaine, a physician and specialist in orthomolecular medicine, discussed the potential health effects associated with exposure to contaminated cabin air and explained how orthomolecular medicine may offer supportive approaches in certain cases.
He also emphasized the importance of recognizing symptoms at an early stage and taking reports and experiences from those affected seriously.
Neurofeedback
Neuropsychologist Erik van Beuningen then gave a clear explanation of neurofeedback and how it may provide support for neurological symptoms and sensory overstimulation.
Video Contribution from BeCA
In his video message, Capt. Rudy Pont of the Belgian Cockpit Association (BeCA) emphasized:
- the importance of reporting and documenting incidents;
- the need to take precautionary measures without delay;
- the fact that exposure to contaminated cabin air can genuinely make people ill; and
- the importance of linking technical incidents with the health symptoms that may follow.
He also reiterated the need for a centralized and standardized system for recording all health complaints following such incidents—not only those that are long-term or have already become chronic. Comprehensive and consistent data collection is essential for gaining a better understanding of the nature, frequency, and potential consequences of exposure.
The Technical Sector Speaks
Piet Visser, Chairman of the Dutch Association of Aviation Technicians (NVLT), also contributed to the evening’s program. From a technical perspective, he addressed issues of safety, observations from the workplace, and the importance of taking reports and recurring warning signs seriously.
He also referred to the “canary in the coal mine” as a metaphor for early warning signals that should not be ignored.
The Importance of Reporting and Documentation
Throughout the evening, speakers repeatedly emphasized the importance of reporting and documenting incidents involving contaminated cabin air. It was also noted that several airlines, including KLM, now have dedicated cabin air reporting systems in place. However, participants pointed out that, in practice, these reporting channels still appear to be insufficiently known among both cabin crew and flight deck personnel.
Strong Engagement and Open Dialogue
The evening prompted many questions from the audience and encouraged open and constructive discussions between attendees and speakers. Long after the formal program had ended, participants continued exchanging ideas and experiences.
The Fly Aware Foundation looks back on the event as a valuable, engaging, and constructive evening and extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, visitors, volunteers, and the staff of the Badhoevedorp Community Centre for their contribution to the success of the event.
Edo Brandt is the former Editor-in-Chief of Op de Bok, the monthly magazine of the Dutch Association of Commercial Pilots (VNV). He currently serves as an editor of Keep in Touch, the magazine of the Association of Retired Commercial Pilots (VGV). The June issue of Keep in Touch featured his report on our information evening, which—with his kind permission—we are pleased to make available here as well (English translation coming soon).
Together, we keep this issue in the spotlight.