Date: 201205
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: A319
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb; Cruise; Landing; Descent
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ; Ramp ZZZ
Aircraft component: Air Conditioning Distribution System
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty); Flight Attendant In Charge
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Fatigue; Confusion; Physiological - Other
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Flight Crew
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate; In-flight
Result: General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: Airbus 319 flight. Right after take off Flight Attendant B and I noticed a smell of burnt plastic; electrical; with a hint of nail polish. It became a hunt for us to find the smell. We checked the drain; the trash; behind the coffee pots and could not figure out where it was coming from. The B Flight Attendant went on the back to do the service and I stayed up front to serve First Class and the first three rows in coach. Being the super stew I am I was trying to find the source of the smell. I did not even think about it being the toxic fumes because it did not smell like the other toxic fumes I have smelled before. I called the flight deck several times to let them know of the odor. When B and C Flight Attendants finished the service I came through with trash and asked B Flight Attendant to come forward and smell and she also called the flight deck to have one of the guys come out. B noticed the smell at row three and the Jumpseater came out to confirm that there was an odor and he could not find the source as well. Upon landing I had a ragging headache and felt nauseated. I had to reach for a trash bag on final because I thought I was going to get sick. Doors open and I do not remember passengers deplaning. I did see the Mechanic and told him of the odor. He told me it was the trash bin and I said no. He said yes it is and had the cleaners clean the trash bin and said we were good to go. He said it was a fishy smell and that he took care of it and nothing was wrong.Kudos to the Captain for saying we were not taking this aircraft because he the smell in the flight deck upon landing. After getting fresh air I felt fine and even the other crew members said I looked better. We were now on a dead head to our crew base and since the flight is full; I took the jumpseat to help the agents out and to catch up with the crew. All was fine at first but during the flight I noticed my mind was not as sharp as usual. After landing and standing up is when it hit me. My legs felt very weak and my head was much clouded; disorientated; and my memory is gone of deplaning. Something about the pressurization upon landing triggered more symptoms. I went down to crew services where I asked about the hospital but very vague because I don't remember. I drove myself to the hospital (should not have) and it took every bit of energy and skill I had. I was so disoriented in the parking garage that someone had to help me to the emergency room. Symptoms ... nausea - headache - spacey - could not focus - heart rate increase - feels like someone stepping on my chest - blood pressure sky rocket - did not have quick recall - equilibrium effected - knee joints very achy - slurred speech - trouble articulating words - dazed and confused with a plastic; burnt electrical taste in my mouth. I was the only crew member affected because I stayed up front.




Synopsis: An A319 Flight Attendant became very ill then drove herself to a hospital following exposure to a complex odor resembling burnt plastic and electrical with a hint of nail polish.