Norwich pilot John Hoyte's boost in toxic cabin air battle

A bill introduced to Congress last month by California senator John Garamendi aims to address the fact the air people breathe on planes comes directly from the jet engines.

The legislation would potentially require aeroplanes to be equipped with sensors to detect air contamination from heated engine oil or other mechanical failures.

Former pilot, John Hoyte, outside the Aerotoxic Association building in 2014 (Image: Newsquest)

Former pilot John Hoyte lives in Bracondale in Norwich and quit the profession in 2005 after suffering adverse reactions, dizziness, slurring and headaches.

The 67-year-old believes that contaminated air inside planes poisoned him and founded a group called the Aerotoxic Association, or 'Group A'.

The group all believe that potentially thousands of aircrew and passengers may have been poisoned by contaminated air when flying.

Mr Hoyte said the new US legislation is a "breakthrough" for the issue.

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The legislation would require airplanes to have sensors that would alert the pilot and flight attendants to poor air quality that's dangerous to human health (Image: Skitterphoto/Pexels)

"This is a global problem which affects aircraft in every country and this is long overdue," said Mr Hoyte, who had a long and varied flight career.

"The key part now is finding out how the airlines have gotten away with this for so long because air crews and passengers are still being harmed.

"It's painful for me to talk about - after so many years I still wonder how it's going to end."

Another member of the 'A Group' is retired financial controller Ian Warren, from Billingford near, Dereham.

The 76-year-old joined after meeting Mr Hoyte seven years ago and thinks the new legislation is a "big win" in raising awareness to the issue.

Ian Warren is a member of the 'A Group' which looks to find a solution and raise awareness to the issue around toxic fumes on aeroplanes (Image: Newsquest)

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Mr Warren added: "There's been a great deal of avoidance by airlines to own up to there being a problem.

"This will hopefully raise people's awareness of the issue, so that people in the industry come to terms with what's happened and investigate it with some honesty.

"It's a step in the right direction for people to start taking notice."

There have been reports of people getting sick from the fumes which inhabit aeroplanes (Image: Newsquest)

The great toxic debate

The Aeroxtoxic Association believe the current system on most commercial planes - of drawing air for the cabin through the engine - is flawed because if a fault occurs in the seals of the engine, known as a 'fume event', the air will be exposed to potentially harmful oil particles which then pass into the cabin.

Complaints by pilots, air crew and passengers following exposure to such chemicals range from migraines, tiredness and breathing problems, to memory loss and depression.

John Hoyte, 67, said the legislation will affect airlines around the world (Image: Archant)

While homes and offices across the country are required to have carbon monoxide detectors, aeroplanes have no such requirement.

Under the bill introduced in the US, the airline industry would be forced to adopt new measures to protect passengers and crew members from toxic fumes on aeroplanes.