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6027511 
Journal Article 
Concentrations of Selected Contaminants in Cabin Air of Airbus Aircrafts 
Dechow, M; Sohn, H; Steinhanses, J 
1997 
Yes 
Chemosphere
ISSN: 0045-6535
EISSN: 1879-1298 
35 
1 
21 
Two types of airbus-Swissair's Airbus A310 and Lufthansa's Airbus A340-were studied to determine the concentrations of selected contaminants in cabin air. Particles were counted prior to take-off, during flights, and prior to and after landing. The particle concentration was found to depend highly on flight phase and passenger activity. The majority of the detected bacteria in the cabin air were non-pathogenic gram positive cocci, which were detected only at extremely low levels, which were attributed to the high efficiency of the recirculation filters and to the contamination-free air at high altitudes. The bacteria concentration was higher, however, in economy class than in business or first class. The VOCs detected in the air samples included: ethanol, acetone, toluene, formaldehyde, acetic acid, and nicotine at geometric mean concentrations of 593, 24, 18, 7, 6, and 2 ppb, respectively. 
Environment Abstracts; AIR POLLUTION, INDOOR; PARTICULATES; AIRPLANES; BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION; VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; AIR ANALYSIS; ENA 07:General