Our team at the Hoffman Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT) Program at UT Health San Antonio wanted to share this important external article:
“Four Reasons In-Flight Airline Incidents Are Increasing” from Forbes:
Incidents of passengers behaving badly onboard used to mostly involve smoking in the restroom, talking back to a flight attendant, or a scuffle among passengers over mixed-up seats. But this year, airlines have seen a dramatic increase in in-flight passenger incidents and these have gotten increasingly violent and dangerous.
Through May, about 2,500 such incidents have been recorded, and those categorized as “unruly” reached 394, compared with well under 200 for each full year of 2019 and 2020.
View the full article from Forbes.
“The irritability that occurs with TILT can be triggered by combustion products such as traffic exhaust, potentially leading to road rage and the recent unruly behavior of airline passengers. The latter may be triggered by cabin air contaminants such as disinfectants, pesticides, fragrances worn by passengers or used in restrooms, and jet fuel combustion products,” said Dr. Claudia Miller, allergist/immunologist, professor emeritus, and leader of the Hoffman TILT Program at UT Health San Antonio.
“Airlines that have stopped serving alcoholic are doing the right thing. Alcoholic beverages can trigger these same behaviors in some individuals.”
How chemically sensitive are you?
Answer these three questions from the Brief Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (BREESI):
- Do you feel sick when you are exposed to tobacco smoke, certain fragrances, nail polish/remover, engine exhaust, gasoline, air fresheners, pesticides, paint/thinner, fresh tar/asphalt, cleaning supplies, new carpet or furnishings? By sick, we mean: headache, difficulty thinking, difficulty breathing, weakness, dizziness, upset stomach, etc.
- Are you unable to tolerate or do you have adverse or allergic reactions to any drugs or medications (such as antibiotics, anesthetics, pain relievers, X-ray contrast dye, vaccines or birth control pills), or to an implant, prosthesis, contraceptive chemical or device, or other medical/surgical/dental material or procedure?
- Are you unable to tolerate or do you have adverse reactions to any foods such as dairy products, wheat, corn, eggs, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, or food additives (e.g., MSG, food dye)?
If you answer YES to any of these three questions, take the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) and share the results with your doctor!