New guidance warning all coroners in England and Wales of the need
for additional tests to take place where the cause of death is
suspected to relate to toxic cabin air on board aircraft should be
a catalyst for a public inquiry, Unite, the UK’s largest union
representing cabin crew, said today (Wednesday 17 October). The new
guidance follows an unprecedented letter of concern in April this
year from the senior coroner in the inquest into the death of
Matthew Bass, a much loved member of...Request free trial
New guidance warning all coroners in England and Wales of the need
for additional tests to take place where the cause of death is
suspected to relate to toxic cabin air on board aircraft should be
a catalyst for a public inquiry, Unite, the UK’s largest union
representing cabin crew, said today (Wednesday 17 October).
The new guidance follows an unprecedented letter of
concern in April this year from the senior coroner in the inquest
into the death of Matthew Bass, a much loved member of Unite and
British Airways cabin crew.
Following the inquest the senior coroner wrote the
letter of concern to the chief coroner asking him to advise all
coroners of the need for the additional tests in cases where toxic
cabin air is a suspected cause of death. Significantly the senior
coroner in his letter recognised that exposure to toxic cabin air
may lead to a clinical impact on the body.
Unite, which is currently taking over 100 legal cases
on behalf of cabin crew who have been involved in fume events or
suffered ill heath from suspected toxic cabin air, understands that
the guidance has now been issued to all coroners in England and
Wales.
Commenting Unite assistant general secretary for legal
services Howard Beckett said: “This is
unprecedented guidance to all coroners in England and Wales and
follows the recognition that toxic cabin air may have an impact on
the body which leads to ill health.
“It now means that all coroners are aware
of toxic cabin air and should commit to additional testing when
faced with a death involving a frequent flyer who dies in
unexplained or complex
circumstances.
“Toxic cabin air is real and is damaging
lives. Additional testing will provide a greater understanding of
its harmful effects on cabin crew and other frequent flyers, while
giving a deceased’s loved ones the answers that they
need.
“The new guidance should act as a catalyst
for a public inquiry into toxic cabin air which is an issue the
airline industry has consistently sought to brush under the
carpet.
“It’s time the airline industry faced up to
its responsibilities and dealt with toxic cabin
air.”
