The Air Transport Association, the aviation lobby group, refused to comment, saying this is not an industry issue but rather just an Alaska Airlines issue. Flight attendants contend that it is an industry issue, and that the Alaska Air and Ansett Air attendants are just the first ones to organize. Joni Benson, Air Quality Chairperson, for Alaska Airlines flight attendants, has reports from many other airlines proving this is an industry-wide issue. However, even as more flight attendants become medically grounded, there seems to be an abundance of candidates waiting in the wings to take to the skies. United Airlines has opened seven foreign bases for flight attendant foreign nationals with lower pay and less stringent environmental laws in hosting countries.
Perfect health is a worldwide requirement for flight attendant new hires.
Basically, there is no fresh air in airplanes. All fresh air is processed through engines where it becomes laced with toxic chemicals. When some airlines have spills, evidenced by the trails at the weep holes, the aircraft is grounded and the ventilation system is steam cleaned. Worldwide, passengers and flight attendants may be consistently exposed to toxins through the air conditioning resulting from hydraulic leaks and defective engine seals. The effect of toxins on humans is cumulative.