Rep. Nadler Renews Call for Improved Cabin Air Quality

Recent Incident of US Airways Crew Highlight Need for Changes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), the highest ranking member from New York to serve on the Transportation Committee today renewed his call for the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2007. That bill, already adopted by the House, includes a cabin air quality study authored by Rep. Nadler.

The Senate version of the bill is currently pending and does not contain the cabin air quality study offered by Rep. Nadler in the House bill. Rep. Nadler noted the need for the inclusion of this measure in the final bill, pointing to the recent incident where five US Airways crew members were taken to a hospital after suddenly becoming ill from symptoms related to carbon monoxide poisoning.

"What happened to that flight crew could have been prevented," said Rep. Nadler. "For several years, Congress has tried to deal with this issue of airplane cabin air quality. The House adopted bill includes provisions I authored that will force the FAA to once and for all sample and analyze air onboard the cabin aircraft so that we can document passenger and crew exposure and take whatever steps necessary to reduce that exposure. Congress needs to act and demand that the FAA ensures a healthy and safe environment inside our airplanes."

The House bill also includes a study sponsored by Rep Nadler on the possible need for temperature standards to protect crew members and passengers from excessive heat on board aircraft. Also included in the bill is language applying OSHA standards on board aircraft – a provision long supported by Congressman Nadler.

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