Date: 202012
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
Aircraft component: Coalescer Bag
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Physiological - Other
Second reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: Taxi
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: During taxi FA-B and I (FA-C) smelled a glue/stinky sock odor.Then we got headaches; Dizzy; Light headed; Confusion.FA-B called FA-A asked if she noticed any smell of felt ok. She didn't notice a smell but didn't feel well.Symptoms weren't going away so FA-B called the flight deck to notify.We went back to gate. Deplaned and once the PAX.Then we stepped off we did as well to get fresh air and air in the jetway; due to feeling weak and queasy.Hours later we all went to the ER to seek medical attention that should have been advised to do so immediately.  Wasn't feeling fit to operate due to the inhalation of hazardous fumes.I think that there need to be a procedure set in place for our management and CSAs to deal these types of serious situations like air quality because the people who are experiencing air quality problems aren't in the right state of mind to make first responder decisions for ourselves. There should be a training and also a checklist; such as if the ones who are felling two symptoms or more should be urged to go to the doctor and the paramedics should meet the flight without question.


Second narrative: All three crew members experienced an odor in galleys and cabin that smelled like glue and dirty socks during taxi out; after de-icing and before take-off. With Communication among each other we all started experiencing symptoms of feeling ill; dizzy; light headed; tingling sweaty hands; nausea; and confusion. We contacted the pilots to let them know of odor and illness. They Captain made the decision to go back to gate. We deplaned the passengers and were met by supervisors. We were told med-link would be contacted but they were not. The airport police (just one officer/ EMT) spoke with us and took our oxygen levels which were safe but low. We were not met by any paramedics. We were not given any oxygen. We should have put our selves on it; but we were fatigued; confused and not in correct state of mind to be making first responder decisions for ourselves. We drank water in crew room for a couple hours. We all three went to the ER fives hours later still feeling bad; to get blood tested and oxygen for dizziness. Symptoms lasted for about 11 hours. Toxic fume inhalation from air quality issue in cabin caused confusion for crews state of mind during taxi out and deplaning. We safely disarmed our doors at gate to deplane but may have made a lack of announcements and we I'll during the process. Training for CSA and Supervisors for consistency in protocol for Air Quality issues when meeting crew that reports problem. Always contact me slink and paramedics for crew just as we would passengers. It was not helpful to be down playing the situation to calm us; we needed help and we being asked what to do for ourselves; when we had been in wrong state of mind to make first responder decisions..


Synopsis: B737-700 flight attendants reported a 'glue and dirty socks' odor during taxi-out resulting in health issues. The crew returned to the gate.