Furry pet allergens, fungal DNA and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in the commercial aircraft cabin environment.
Abstract: There has been concern about the cabin environment in commercial aircraft. We measured cat, dog and horse allergens and fungal DNA in cabin dust and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in cabin air. Samples were collected from two European airline companies, one with cabins having textile seats (TSC) and the other with cabins having leather seats (LSC), 9 airplanes from each company. Dust was vacuumed from seats and floors in the flight deck and different parts of the cabin. Cat (Fel d1), dog (Can f1) and horse allergens (Equ cx) were analyzed by ELISA. Five sequences of fungal DNA were analyzed by quantitative PCR. MVOCs were sampled on charcoal tubes in 42 TSC flights, and 17 compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selective ion monitoring (SIM). MVOC levels were compared with levels in homes from Nordic countries. The weight of dust was 1.8 times larger in TSC cabins as compared to LSC cabins (p < 0.001). In cabins with textile seats, the geometric mean (GM) concentrations of Fel d1, Can f1 and Equ cx were 5359 ng g(-1), 6067 ng g(-1), and 13 703 ng g(-1) (GM) respectively. Levels of Fel d1, Can f1 and Equ cx were 50 times, 27 times and 75 times higher respectively, in TSC cabins as compared to LSC cabins (p < 0.001). GM levels of Aspergillus/Penicillium DNA, Aspergillus versicolor DNA, Stachybotrys chartarum DNA and Streptomyces DNA were all higher in TSC as compared to LSC (p < 0.05). The sum of MVOCs in cabin air (excluding butanols) was 3192 ng m(-3) (GM), 3.7 times higher than in homes (p < 0.001) and 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol concentrations were 15-17 times higher as compared to homes (p < 0.001). Concentrations of isobutanol, 1-butanol, dimethyldisulfide, 2-hexanone, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, isobutyl acetate and ethyl-2-methylbutyrate were lower in cabin air as compared to homes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, textile seats are much more contaminated by pet allergens and fungal DNA than leather seats. The use of seats with smooth surfaces should be encouraged. The MVOC levels differed between cabin air and homes.
Publication Date: 2013-05-07 PubMed ID: 23644832DOI: 10.1039/c3em30928bGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study examines the presence of pet allergens, fungal DNA, and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in the cabin environment of commercial aircraft, noting higher levels of these contaminates in planes with textile seating compared to those with leather seating.
Research Methodology
- The researchers collected dust and air samples from planes belonging to two European airline companies. Nine airplanes were studied from each company, with one featuring cabins with textile seats (TSC) and the other using leather seats (LSC).
- Dust was vacuumed from airplane seats, floors, and other parts of the cabin. Then, samples were analyzed for the presence of cat (Fel d1), dog (Can f1), and horse allergens (Equ cx) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Additionally, the samples were tested for the presence of five sequences of fungal DNA via quantitative PCR.
- MVOCs were sampled on charcoal tubes during 42 TSC flights. These compounds were later analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selective ion monitoring.
- The researchers also compared the MVOC levels in the airplane cabins with those typically found in residences in Nordic countries.
Findings
- The total weight of dust was found to be 1.8 times larger in TSC cabins compared to LSC cabins. This difference was statistically significant, as indicated by a p-value of less than 0.001.
- Textile seats were found to harbor significantly higher concentrations of pet allergens compared to leather seats. For example, cat (Fel d1), dog (Can f1), and horse allergens (Equ cx) were 50 times, 27 times, and 75 times higher respectively, in TSC cabins compared to LSC cabins.
- Similarly, the levels of fungal DNA were also significantly higher in TSC compared to LSC.
- The researchers also discovered that the combined levels of MVOCs (excluding butanols) in the cabin air was 3192 ng m(-3), which is 3.7 times higher than in homes. Some specific compounds, such as 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol, were found at concentrations 15-17 times higher than those usually detected in homes.
- However, some compounds such as isobutanol, 1-butanol, dimethyldisulfide, 2-hexanone, 2-heptanone, 3-octanone, isobutyl acetate and ethyl-2-methylbutyrate were present at lower levels in cabin air compared to homes.
Conclusion
- The researchers concluded that textile seats are much more contaminated by pet allergens and fungal DNA than leather seats. They recommended encouraging the use of seats with smooth surfaces to reduce allergen and fungal contamination.
- They also pointed out that the levels of MVOCs varied significantly between airplane cabins and homes, indicating a unique microbial environment within aircraft.
Cite This Article
APA
Fu X, Lindgren T, Guo M, Cai GH, Lundgren H, Norbäck D.
(2013).
Furry pet allergens, fungal DNA and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in the commercial aircraft cabin environment.
Environ Sci Process Impacts, 15(6), 1228-1234.
https://doi.org/10.1039/c3em30928b Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and Uppsala University Hospital, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden. xi.fu@medsci.uu.se
MeSH Terms
- Air Microbiology
- Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis
- Aircraft
- Allergens / analysis
- Animals
- Bacteria / isolation & purification
- Cats
- DNA, Bacterial / analysis
- DNA, Fungal / analysis
- Dogs
- Dust / analysis
- Environmental Monitoring
- Fungi / isolation & purification
- Horses
- Humans
- Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Fu X, Zhang M, Yuan Y, Chen Y, Ou Z, Hashim Z, Hashim JH, Zhang X, Zhao Z, Norbäck D, Sun Y. Microbial Virulence Factors, Antimicrobial Resistance Genes, Metabolites, and Synthetic Chemicals in Cabins of Commercial Aircraft. Metabolites 2023 Feb 24;13(3).
- Fu X, Du B, Chen Q, Norbäck D, Lindgren T, Janson C, Runeson-Broberg R. Self-rated health (SRH), recovery from work, fatigue, and insomnia among commercial pilots concerning occupational and non-occupational factors. Front Public Health 2022;10:1050776.
- Wang F, You R, Zhang T, Chen Q. Recent progress on studies of airborne infectious disease transmission, air quality, and thermal comfort in the airliner cabin air environment. Indoor Air 2022 Apr;32(4):e13032.
- Tong X, Leung MHY, Shen Z, Lee JYY, Mason CE, Lee PKH. Metagenomic insights into the microbial communities of inert and oligotrophic outdoor pier surfaces of a coastal city. Microbiome 2021 Nov 2;9(1):213.
- Zahradnik E, Janssen-Weets B, Sander I, Kendzia B, Mitlehner W, May C, Raulf M. Lower allergen levels in hypoallergenic Curly Horses? A comparison among breeds by measurements of horse allergens in hair and air samples. PLoS One 2018;13(12):e0207871.
- Stave GM. Occupational Animal Allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2018 Feb 16;18(2):11.
- Zahradnik E, Raulf M. Respiratory Allergens from Furred Mammals: Environmental and Occupational Exposure. Vet Sci 2017 Aug 4;4(3).
- Fu X, Lindgren T, Wieslander G, Janson C, Norbäck D. Respiratory Illness and Allergy Related to Work and Home Environment among Commercial Pilots. PLoS One 2016;11(10):e0164954.
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