Date: 201911
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZZ.ARTCC, FO
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Physiological - Other
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: After takeoff; the cabin experienced a fume event. The smell was oil based and strong. The Aft Flight Attendant was experiencing burning eyes and discomfort. The First Officer also complained of discomfort in the eyes. The aft flight attendants also complained of a headache. I instructed the cockpit crew to don oxygen. We first suspected deicing glycol but the nature of the smell was more oil based. We attempted to allow the smell to dissipate after takeoff but the Flight Attendant indicated it was not improving. Upon landing; the flight attendants and both pilots noticed the smell increased. The flight attendants indicated the smell was consistent with nail polish. Both flight attendants had expressed concern and one had asked to return to the field as one was uncomfortable and experiencing physical symptoms and did not feel capable of performing her duties. [Advised ATC] and returned to ZZZZ. EMS personnel boarded the airplane and confirmed concerns of fumes in the cabin but no visible haze or smoke. I; the Captain; was not experiencing any physical symptoms (yet) however I did don oxygen as a precaution. With the condition of our Aft Flight Attendant; we were obligated to get her medical attention and therefore [advised ATC] and returned to ZZZZ.


Second narrative: After departure; the crew had experienced and communicated to each other that there was an odd smell in the cabin/flight deck. Since this was after a de-icing procedure we decided to wait a few minutes to see if the smell would dissipate. I; the Pilot Flying; donned crew oxygen mask due to my complaint of my eyes feeling 'heavy.' As we called the flight attendants to check in; the Aft Flight Attendant was having symptoms of burning/watering eyes. The decision that was made was to [advise ATC] due to the symptoms the Aft Flight Attendant was having. Upon landing; I called the flight attendants to check in. Both said that there was a new smell of 'nail polish' during taxi to the gate. Both Captain and I had recognized the new odor. EMS had escorted us to the gate and boarded the plane. As I spoke to one of the EMS personnel as he approached me in the flight deck; he had complained few minutes into the conversation that his eyes were beginning to burn as well.


Synopsis: ERJ-175 flight crew reported a cabin fumes event that was experienced by two crew members who had physiological symptoms. This resulted in an air return.