COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, NINETY-EIGHTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON S. 197 TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTA- COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION BOB PACKWOOD, Oregon, Chairman BARRY GOLDWATER, Arizona BOB KASTEN, Wisconsin PAUL S. TRIBLE, JR., Virginia ERNEST F. HOLLINGS, South Carolina J. JAMES EXON, Nebraska FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey GERALD J. KOVACH, Chief Counsel Beard, Craig, Director, Office of Airworthiness, Federal Aviation Administra- Ralph, John, senior vice president, operation and technical support, Air Transport Association of America, accompanied by J. D. Collier, director of environmental affairs; and E. L. Thomas, vice president for engineering and Stock, Dr. Thomas, University of Texas School of Public Health; Bertil Werje- felt, president, Xenex Corp.; and Dr. Michael B. Gregg, Centers for Disease Control, Deputy Director for Communications, Epidemiology Program Office, accompanied by Richard Lemen, Director, Division of Standards Development and Technology Transfer, National Institute for Occupational Yates, Lisa, director of health and safety, Independent Union of Flight Attendants; Janis Bumgarner, director of air safety, accompanied by Susan Miller, health coordinator, Association of Flight Attendants; and Donald ADDITIONAL ARTICLES, LETTERS, AND STATEMENTS American Association for Respiratory Therapy, statement American Lung Association, statement... Banzhaf, John F., III, executive director and chief counsel, Action on Smoking and Health, letter with statement of November 22, 1983. Duffy, Henry A., president, Air Line Pilots Association, letter of January 27, Mohler, Dr. Stanley R., director, aerospace medicine, Wright State Universi- IKAU (III) CABIN AIR QUALITY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1983 U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION, SUBCOMMITTEE ON AVIATION, The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice at 9:34 a.m. in room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Paul Trible presiding. Staff members assigned to this hearing: Chuck Doyle, staff counsel, and Steve Palmer, minority staff counsel. OPENING STATEMENT BY SENATOR TRIBLE Senator TRIBLE. Good morning. The Aviation Subcommittee will come to order. We have convened this hearing to explore an issue relating to the health and safety of the crew and passengers on commercial aircraft. For several years we have heard about health problems stemming from prolonged exposure to ozone in very high altitude flights. In addition, the need of the air carriers to conserve fuel has led many of them to reduce the flow of fresh air through the cabin area. On January 26 of this year Senator Inouye introduced S. 197. This measure would direct the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to conduct an independent study to review the adequacy of industry practices and FAA rules and regulations which set the minimum standards for air quality in commercial aircraft. Based on the oral testimony presented today and submissions to the record, the subcommittee will consider whether to recommend further action on this bill. The subcommittee is very interested in the health and safety of air travelers and flight personnel. I appreciate the interest Senator Inouye has shown on this issue and his leadership, and he will be joining us momentarily. I feel the hearing today will contribute to our understanding and to the understanding of the industry and to a better appreciation of the needs of the traveling public. At this point I will yield to my distinguished colleague from Hawaii. OPENING STATEMENT BY SENATOR INOUYE Senator INOUYE. I wish to thank the distinguished chairwoman from Kansas for her leadership, interest, and concern in the issues currently before this subcommittee and for her decision to hold further hearings on airline cabin safety and health standards. |