WRITTEN QUESTION E-3216/01 by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Disinfection of aircraft.
Date: 2001-11-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: International Civil Aviation Organisation, World Health Organisation, aircraft, decontamination, disease prevention, insecticide

C 147 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

(2002/C 147 E/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3216/01

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 November 2001)

Subject: Disinfection of aircraft

Many airlines still carry out the practice of disinfection, the spraying of aircraft with insecticide in order to
kill insects such as mosquitoes to prevent the spread of diseases such as malaria. This is often done while
passengers are sitting inside the aircraft, or their seats may be soaked with insecticide before they board.

The World Health Organisation advises that the chemicals used are perfectly safe. However, there is
substantial evidence to suggest that they may, in fact, have adverse effects on human health. The US has in
fact banned the practice of disinfection of occupied cabins on US airlines for this reason (although the
spraying of unoccupied cabins is still permitted), especially as there is very little evidence suggesting that
aircraft disinfection is effective in preventing the spread of malaria and other tropical diseases.

What is particularly surprising and worrying is that passengers are not even informed that they will be
sprayed, or that they are entering a cabin that has been sprayed.

What insecticides are permitted and used in planes belonging to European airlines, or flying to and from
the European Union?

Does the Commission believe that
failure to inform passengers about disinfection amounts to an
infringement of article 3 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights on the ‘right to integrity of the person’,
giving everyone ‘the right to respect for his or her physical and mental integrity’?

Would the Commission consider putting forward a proposal to make it obligatory to warn passengers, in a
clear fashion, of this practice?

Is the Commission satisfied that the efficacy of this practice justifies its continued use, taking into account
the potential health risks?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

The Commission acknowledges the problem raised by the Honourable Member. However,
it is of the
opinion that, in view of their nature, the practices of disinfection and/or disinsecting rarely do take place
on Community territory, their aim being to eradicate specific insects and prevent the spreading of
epidemics. Consequently, any measure the Commission could envisage would have an extraterritorial
impact which would be widely challenged.

The Commission is therefore convinced that action must be pursued on a more global level, i.e. through
the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). According to the latter’s provisions, only those
methods and insecticides which are recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shall be
authorised and accepted by contracting states. These contracting states shall furthermore ensure that their
procedures for disinsecting are not injurious to the health of passengers and crew and cause minimum
discomfort to them.

The Commission trusts that these measures are sufficient to safeguard the health of the passengers.