WRITTEN QUESTION E-0349/01 by Garrelt Duin (PSE) to the Commission. Danger of deep-vein thrombosis for passengers on long-haul flights (economy class syndrome).
Date: 2001-02-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air transport, cardiovascular disease, carriage of passengers, consumer protection, health risk, health statistics, transport company, transport regulations, transport safety

21.8.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/131

Is the Commission aware of the investigations being carried out?

Does it intend to review air quality on board this type of aircraft, and similar types, with view to
protecting the health of the crew and of the passengers on board?

(2001/C 235 E/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0191/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: Use of organophosphates on aircraft

Is the Commission aware of concern that air crews and travellers may suffer health problems because of
the leakage into air-circulation systems on aircraft of fumes containing organophosphates, particularly
tricreslyphosphate and triorthocresylphosphate used as lubricants in aircraft engines?

Is the Commission aware of any research being carried out into these alleged problems, and does it intend
to submit proposals designed to reduce any proven or feared risks?

(2001/C 235 E/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0233/01

by Cristina Garc(cid:237)a-Orcoyen Tormo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 February 2001)

Subject: Economy class syndrome

Although reports concerning cases of what is known as (cid:145)economy class syndrome(cid:146) appear relatively
frequently in the media, the syndrome would appear to be responsible for many more deaths than is
actually reported.

The syndrome consists in the formation of blood clots in the legs or hips of passengers during flights
lasting more than two hours. Owing to the prolonged immobility, those blood clots can travel to the brain
and cause death.

Given the importance of this issue and the fact that preventive measures can be taken with a view to
reducing the health risk, does the Commission intend to take steps to ensure that airlines introduce such
measures?

(2001/C 235 E/140)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0349/01

by Garrelt Duin (PSE) to the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Subject: Danger of deep-vein thrombosis for passengers on long-haul flights ((cid:145)economy class syndrome(cid:146))

Flying as a passenger in a cramped economy-class seat is more dangerous than has hitherto been admitted.
With freedom of movement being restricted, blood may coagulate in passengers(cid:146) legs on long-haul flights,
and that can lead to the formation of potentially fatal blood clots. Especially in economy class, where the
seat pitch is generally less than 80 cm, the danger of damage to health is particularly high, hence the tag
(cid:145)economy class syndrome(cid:146). A study carried out by British medical specialists comes to the horrifying
conclusion that, in Great Britain alone, as many as 2 000 passengers die every year from (cid:145)economy class
syndrome(cid:146).

C 235 E/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

Can the Commission indicate:

(cid:129) any further findings or statistics available at European level,

(cid:129) its assessment of the current situation and any action it might take,

(cid:129) whether it will review the technical specifications for civil aviation with regard to seat pitch,

(cid:129) whether any legal bases exist for the settlement of potential claims for damages against airlines,

(cid:129) whether airlines are legally bound to refer to the dangers of thrombosis on the flight tickets they issue,

(cid:129) whether similar problems exist with regard to long-distance coach transport?

(2001/C 235 E/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0353/01

by Sir Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2001)

Subject: Air passenger safety

What actions have been taken by the Commission to investigate the incidence of the so-called (cid:145)aircraft
syndrome(cid:146) and its resultant health risks? What is the nature of the advice which has been sought from
airlines operating within the EU and medical experts? Will the Commission make a statement as to
progress?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0151/01, E-0155/01,
E-0191/01, E-0233/01, E-0349/01 and P-0353/01
given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2001)

The Commission is well aware of recent reports and developments in the field of deep vein thrombosis
(DVT) and cabin conditions, and is taking passengers(cid:146) concerns very seriously. It has examined various
reports, in particular that of the Select Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Lords.

On the basis of a preliminary assessment, the Commission has not found real substance in the extreme
claims about health risks from air travel. However, it takes the danger of health risks most seriously, in
particular that of DVT, the more so as data is poor on the incidence of the complaint.

Consequently, as a first precaution, the Commission sent a letter to the presidents of the Association of
European Airlines, the European Regions Airlines Association and the International Air Carrier Associa-
tion, urging their members to take precautionary measures in relation to DVT. In this letter, airlines were
urged to act rapidly to minimise the risks by informing passengers when they make reservations or order
tickets, on the risks, on predisposing factors and on precautionary measures to take before long flights and
advise them, once on board the aircraft, on what to do to lessen the chance of thrombosis.

A number of airlines have already introduced, on their own initiative, pre-boarding warnings and/or in-
flight advice (leaflets, videos, in-flight magazines showing exercises, recommending what to do and what to
avoid, etc).