Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017 Jul 1;88(7):651-656. doi: 10.3357/AMHP.4366.2017.
Commercial air travel is usually without health incidents. However, there is a view that cabin environments may be detrimental to health, especially flights of 8 h or more. Concerns have been raised about deep vein thrombosis, upper respiratory tract infections, altitude sickness, and toxins from the engines.
Passenger cabin simulators were used to achieve a comparative observational study with 8-h flights at pressures equivalent to terrestrial altitudes of ground, 4000, 6000, and 8000 ft. Biomarkers of thrombosis (D-Dimer), inflammation (interleukin-6), and respiratory dysfunction (FEV1) and oxygen saturation (Spo2) were measured, as well as pulse and blood pressure. The wellbeing of the passengers was also monitored.
During 36 flights, 1260 healthy subjects [626 women (F) and 634 men (M) (mean age = 43, SD = 16)] were assessed. Additionally, 72 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (F = 32, M = 40, mean age = 48, SD = 17) and 74 with heart failure (F = 50, M = 24, mean age = 54, SD = 14) contributed to 11 flights. Additionally, 76 normal controls were observed while engaged in a usual day's work (F = 38, M = 38, mean age = 39, SD = 15). There were no health-significant changes in D-Dimer, interleukin-6, or FEV1. Spo2 varied as expected, with lowest values at 8000 ft and in patients with cardiopulmonary disease. The only differences from the controls were the loss of the normal diurnal variations in interleukin-6 and D-Dimer.
This very large, comparative, controlled study provides much reassurance for the traveling public, who use airline flights of up to 8 h. We did not show evidence of the development of venous thrombosis, inflammation, respiratory embarrassment, nor passenger distress. No significant symptoms or adverse effects were reported.Ideal Cabin Environment (ICE) Research Consortium of the European Community 6th Framework Programme. Health effects of airline cabin environments in simulated 8-hour flights. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(7):651-656.
商业航空旅行通常不会引发健康问题。然而，有一种观点认为机舱环境可能对健康有害，尤其是飞行时长达到8小时或更长时间的航班。人们对深静脉血栓形成、上呼吸道感染、高原病以及发动机排放的毒素表示担忧。
使用客舱模拟器进行一项对比观察研究，模拟飞行8小时，气压分别相当于地面、海拔4000英尺、6000英尺和8000英尺的陆地气压。测量血栓形成的生物标志物（D - 二聚体）、炎症指标（白细胞介素 - 6）、呼吸功能障碍指标（第一秒用力呼气容积）和血氧饱和度（脉搏血氧饱和度），同时测量脉搏和血压。还对乘客的健康状况进行了监测。
在36次飞行过程中，对1260名健康受试者[626名女性（F）和634名男性（M）（平均年龄 = 43岁，标准差 = 16岁）]进行了评估。此外，72名慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者（女性 = 32名，男性 = 40名，平均年龄 = 48岁，标准差 = 17岁）和74名心力衰竭患者（女性 = 50名，男性 = 24名，平均年龄 = 54岁，标准差 = 14岁）参与了11次飞行。另外，对76名正常对照者在日常工作时进行了观察（女性 = 38名，男性 = 38名，平均年龄 = 39岁，标准差 = 15岁）。D - 二聚体、白细胞介素 - 6或第一秒用力呼气容积没有出现具有健康意义的变化。血氧饱和度如预期那样变化，在8000英尺高度以及患有心肺疾病的患者中最低。与对照组相比，唯一的差异在于白细胞介素 - 6和D - 二聚体失去了正常的昼夜变化规律。
这项规模庞大、对比性强且有对照的研究为乘坐长达8小时航班的公众提供了很大的安心保障。我们没有发现静脉血栓形成、炎症、呼吸窘迫或乘客不适情况出现的证据。未报告有明显症状或不良反应。欧洲共同体第6框架计划理想机舱环境（ICE）研究联盟。模拟8小时航班中机舱环境对健康的影响。航空航天医学与人类表现。2017年；88(7):651 - 656。
