Date: 202104
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Descent
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
Aircraft component: Coalescer Bag
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty); Flight Attendant In Charge
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Physiological - Other
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: I was Flight Attendant 1 on Aircraft X; ZZZ-ZZZ1 on [date].  Upon descent we; the inflight crew; experienced a fume event or 'stinky sock smell'.  The other flight attendants and I experienced severe eye irritation and I also had a headache.  There was no smoke or fire.  After landing I notified the flight deck of the non normal odor event.  The Captain confirmed that it was a toxic fume event.  The Captain and First Officer experienced a fume event on their prior flight from ZZZ2 to ZZZ on the same aircraft.  He said that Aircraft X had quite a history of problems with the APU and bleed air fume events.  He said he called maintenance in ZZZ.  They ran some tests prior to our flight to ZZZ1; but did not experience a fume event during the tests.  After the customers deplaned in ZZZ1; the Captain told us (inflight) to step off of the aircraft to get some fresh air.  The new pilots and maintenance in ZZZ! were going to perform some tests on the aircraft.  After the tests were complete; we went back onto the aircraft.  Maintenance was still aboard and talking with the pilots.  I do not know how much time had passed; but my face and ears turned bright red and began to swell.  My hands started shaking uncontrollably.  I became dizzy and very sleepy.  The gate agent in ZZZ1 asked me to step outside; so I followed her out the door connected to the jetbridge.  Moments later the Captain informed me that I needed to call medical. I told him I did not have the number memorized; so he took my phone and helped dial.  Medical said I was not fit to fly and needed to be on oxygen ASAP.  I wasn't to return to work until I had been examined by a doctor.  I returned to the aircraft to inform the Captain of medical's recommendations.  The F2 and F3 also called medical.  They told me that they too were unfit to fly.  No supervisors were available to assist us.  Several hours passed before we were given hotel accommodations.  By the time we arrived at the hotel; we were exhausted; hungry; and experiencing brain fog.  We went to a clinic the next day.  The doctor said he believed we suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning and that ideally should have been treated with oxygen immediately after the event.  He hesitantly signed the return to work form; knowing it was the only way we could fly back to our home base. He said we all needed to follow up with a physician in a few days.  I have not been able to do that yet because I had recurrent training and then the 'debrief' with [company]. [Company] said if I continue to deviate from the FAM; it will ultimately result in separation from the company.  I asked what I should have done differently.  They said I should have only called medical if there was an incapacitated crew member.  I explained that the Captain ordered me to call and even helped place the call to medical.  Two customers complained about the odor while deplaning.  The Captain confirmed that it was a fume event.  The aircraft is still operating with an inop APU.  I have had a headache; severe fatigue; blurry vision; and problems with my memory since the fume event.  The company has accepted no responsibility for the event; but they have encouraged me to familiarize myself with the FAM and read [Company's] FAQ page pertaining to non normal odors.  I will follow up with my own optometrist and neurologist.




Synopsis: Flight Attendant in Charge; along with two other flight attendants; reported a fume event resulting in physiological symptoms. Three flight attendants were evaluated as unfit to fly.