Thu, Dec 25, 2008
Twenty-Five Passengers And Crew Treated For Minor
Discomfort
Seven crewmembers onboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 were
taken to the hospital Wednesday, when fumes from the de-icing
liquid being sprayed on the snow-covered airliner entered the
cabin.
CNN reports the seven were treated for relatively minor issues
including eye irritation, dizziness and nausea. Eighteen passengers
were also treated at the scene, according to officials with Sea-Tac
International Airport.
Flight 528 to Burbank, CA was being sprayed down with propylene
glycol de-icing fluid when passengers started complaining of eye
irritation, and difficulties breathing due to the fumes. A number
of emergency vehicles responded to the scene, though some
passengers complained of being held onboard the plane for as long
as 45 minutes until they were finally allowed off.
Propylene glycol has largely replaced ethylene glycol as the
base for aircraft de-icing solution, due to the toxic properties of
the latter. Generally consider safe in small doses -- propylene
glycol is used in a variety of products, including food, cosmetics,
and medicines -- large concentrations of the agent may still cause
discomfort.
As a rule, flight crews typically shut off the aircraft's
auxiliary power unit and the heating and cooling packs to prevent
fumes from entering the cabin during deice operations. Ground crews
avoid spraying de-icer fluid near air inlet vents.
Initial reports of two people being in critical condition after
being overcome by the fumes were erroneous, said Alaska Airlines
spokeswoman Caroline Boren. All 143 passengers ticketed on Flight
528 were later flown to Burbank on another plane.
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