A bill to direct the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to conduct an independent study to determine the adequacy of certain industry practices and Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations, and for other purposes.
PL 98-466 (S.197), enacted 10/11/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-466—OCT. 11, 1984 
STAT. 1825 
Public Law 98-466 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To direct the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to conduct an independ-
ent study to determine the adequacy of certain industry practices and Federal 
Aviation Administration rules and regulations, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. (a) The Secretary of Transportation shall, in the inter-
est of health and safety, and in the interest of promoting and 
maintaining a superior United States aviation industry, commission 
an independent study by the National Academy of Sciences. The 
study shall determine whether civil commercial aviation industry 
practices and standards and Federal Aviation Administration rules, 
regulations, and minimum standards are nondiscriminatory and at 
least in conformance and parity with nonaviation standards, prac-
tices, and regulations for the appropriate maintenance of public and 
occupational health and safety (including de facto circumstances) in 
relation to airline cabin air quality for all passengers and crew 
aboard civil commercial aircraft. 
(b) In conducting the study, special and objective considerations 
shall be given to the uniqueness of the environment onboard civil 
commercial aircraft. The study shall focus on all health and safety 
aspects of airline cabin air quality, including but not limited to— 
(1) the quantity of fresh air per occupant and overall quality 
of air onboard; 
(2) the quantity and quality of humidification; 
(3) onboard environmental conditions and contamination 
limits, including exposure to radiation; 
(4) emergency breathing equipment, including toxic fume-
protective breathing equipment; 
(5) measures, procedures, and capabilities for detecting and 
extinguishing fires and the removal of smoke and toxic fumes 
within safe pressurization limits; 
(6) safe pressurization of the aircraft, considering the broad 
range of cardiopulmonary health of the traveling public, and 
dissemination of information to the medical profession and the 
general public of current pressurization limits and practices to 
assure valid medical advice concerning the health effects of air 
travel; 
(7) the feasibility of collection and dissemination by the avia-
tion industry, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any 
other private or governmental organization of a data base of 
medical statistics and environmental factors relating to air 
travel, including but not limited to, maintenance and operation 
records and procedures of aircraft, in an effort to assess the 
adequacy of aircraft systems, design, regulations, standards and 
practices relating to airline cabin air quality from the stand-
point of health and safety, and for the purpose of issuing 
Federal Aviation Administration administrative advisory circu-
Oct. 11, 1984 
[S. 197] 
Aircraft and air 
carriers. 
Health. 
Safety. 
49 u s e app. 1303 
note. 
Public 
information. 
98 STAT. 1826 
PUBLIC LAW 98-466—OCT. 11, 1984 
lars and airworthiness directive regulations to correct any defi-
ciencies disclosed; 
(8) the adequacy of current preflight and inflight health and 
safety instructions for air travelers that relate to airline cabin 
air quality, including but not limited to, life safety procedures 
during inflight fire, smoke, and toxic fume emergencies; and 
(9) a comparison of foreign industry practices, regulations, 
and standards. 
(c) In conducting the study, special care shall be taken to assure 
" ' 
that all existing studies, recommendations, data, and state of the art 
technology relevant to the health and safety aspects of airline cabin 
air quality are considered. 
(d) In conducting the study, the National Academy of Sciences 
shall consult with and solicit the views of academic experts, repre-
sentatives of airline labor, the aviation industry and independent 
experts and organizations. 
(e) The study shall include such recommendations for legislative, 
regulatory, and industry changes as the National Academy of Sci-
ences determines to be advisable for promotion of health and safety 
in relation to airline cabin air quality. 
49 use app. 1303 
SEC. 2. The Secretary of Transportation shall submit a copy of the 
^°^- 
study, as it was prepared by the National Academy of Sciences, to 
the Congress within eighteen months after the date of enactment of 
this Act. At such time the Secretary shall also set forth such 
comments on the matters covered by the study and such recommen-
dations for legislative, regulatory, and industry changes as the 
Secretary determines to be necessary. 
Appropriation 
SEC. 3. There is authorized to be appropriated not to exceed 
^oScn^^^'^^bnQ $500,000 for the fiscal year commencing October 1,1984, to carry out 
49 ubcapp. i6i)6 ^j^^ ^^^^^ authorized by this Act. Such funds shall remain available 
for obligation until expended. 
Approved October 11, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 197: 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-468 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
June 15, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 1, considered and passed House.