April 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 62 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CABIN AIR SAFETY ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2019

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, today I introduce the ``Cabin Air 
Safety Act of 2019,'' to protect commercial airline passengers and crew 
from toxic air onboard commercial aircraft.
  All Americans have the right to expect safe, clean air when 
travelling or reporting to work. I am deeply concerned by the 
documented cases where pilots, flight attendants, and other airline 
crewmembers have been incapacitated or even hospitalized following 
exposure to toxic cabin air.
  The ``Cabin Air Safety Act'' takes commonsense steps to protect 
airline passengers and crew, including installing carbon monoxide 
detectors in commercial aircraft. I thank Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) for 
leading this bill last Congress and look forward to working with him to 
advance this critical legislation.
  ``Toxic fume'' events occur when air contaminated by engine exhaust, 
fuel fumes, deicing fluids, and ozone enters the aircraft cabin through 
the jet-engine intake. Exposure to even low levels of these 
contaminants can incapacitate passengers and crew and long-term 
exposure could lead to serious, debilitating health issues.
  Our bicameral legislation would better protect airline passengers and 
crew by: mandating training regarding toxic fumes on aircraft, 
requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to record and 
monitor reports of toxic fume events, ensuring that investigations 
occur following toxic fume events, and installing carbon monoxide 
sensors on aircraft.
  Senator Blumenthal's and my legislation is endorsed by the Air Line 
Pilots Association International, Association of Flight Attendants, 
Allied Pilots Association, Association of Professional Flight 
Attendants, International Union of Teamsters, National Consumers 
League, Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association, and International 
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to cosponsor the ``Cabin Air Safety 
Act.''

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