Skip to main content

Aviation: Health

Volume 477: debated on Tuesday 17 June 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what issues have been considered by the Aviation Health Working Group since its inception in March 2001; and if she will make a statement. (206137)

The Aviation Health Working Group (AHWG) has considered a wide range of subjects, in varying detail, since its inception. These include: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), cabin air quality, medical equipment on board aircraft, toilet facilities, flying when pregnant, cockpit light levels, seat pitch, cosmic radiation, aircraft filtration and fitness to fly travel advice. Notes of the relevant meetings are available on the Department for Transport website.

The AHWG, through the Department for Transport, co-funded the Wright research project into DVT with the World Health Organisation and European Commission, and has commissioned research in cabin air “fume events” which is currently under way. The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology said in 2007:

“in general the AHWG has been well received by the industry, unions the regulatory authorities and passenger representatives".