It ’s widely assumed that flying poses a picky risk for those with nut allergy as the allergen can spread through the aircraft ventilating system organization , but a recap of 40 years ’ Charles Frederick Worth of scientific evidence has conclude that there ’s no basis to this belief . or else , the author say , the chief focusing should be on cleaning and sanitizing surfaces such as tray mesa to take any traces of allergens .
food for thought allergies are not rarefied – a late report from the UKFood Standards Agencyfound that 6 per centum of adults have a food allergy , whileFood Allergy Research & Educationestimates the figure to be one in 10 in the USA . Peanut and tree nut allergies are the most coarse .
It ’s important that any food for thought allergy is taken seriously , and the most grievous allergic reactions can be baneful . Anaphylaxisresults when exposure to an allergen – sometimes only a miniscule amount – activate a whole - consistence chemical reaction in which expectant quantities of chemical , including histamine , are dead released . Theresultcan be swell of the airways or tongue , breathing difficulty , and personnel casualty of cognizance .
Anaphylaxis need rapid medical discussion , which is why people with known allergies carryadrenaline autoinjectors , often calledEpiPens . These bear a rapid dose of the hormone adrenaline ( Adrenalin ) , which aid keep the airline business open and circulation exit until someone can get to the hospital .
Because only diminished traces of nuts can be enough to trip a reaction in people with allergic reaction , it ’s often opine that travel on airplanes pose a special risk . Arachis hypogaea are a classic in - flight snack , but there have long been fears that airborne allergens could be transmitted to passengers in different role of the plane via the external respiration system .
A young study might help assuage some of those concern , however , by finding that there ’s really no grounds to support the idea that recirculatedairplaneair puzzle a threat .
“ People should n’t be worried about what food is being transmitted in the air travel when they pilot . We did n’t feel any evidence that crackpot particles could trip through the cabin ventilation system on airplanes and cause reactions , ” suppose first author Professor Paul Turner of Imperial College London in a argument seen by IFLScience .
In general , they found that the risk of infection of an allergic response to aerosolized nut particles was low . Additionally , aircraft cabin ventilating system systems actually commute the air more oftentimes than systems in setting like classrooms and infirmary – every three to four minutes during a trajectory .
“ The system is design to create a controlled circular pattern of airflow , with air continuously express through vent at floor level . This results in atmosphere circulatingacrossthe aircraft , rather thanalongthe cabin , which minimises the potentiality for propagate rider - father contamination through the rider cabin , ” spell Turner and Dowdall in their report .
advanced commercial aircraft are also fitted with filter that effectively remove molecule – include aerosolized food particles – from the line before it is recirculated .
That does not mean that those with severeallergiesshouldn’t be wary on planes , however .
“ The one thing people must do to protect themselves is to strip their keister sphere , ” Turner said . “ Allergenic food is really mucilaginous , and can be regain on rear surfaces , board tops , and ass - back entertainment cover . People concern these surfaces , and then the allergens can be transferred to their sassing . ”
For airlines , the authors say , allowing passengers with allergies extra time to clean their environment would be a better approach than necessitate other passengers not to eat up fruitcake during a flight , which may not reduce the risk of a reaction and can provide false reassurance . They take down that the US Department of Transportation already require airlines to give rider withnut allergiespriority embarkation if request .
This was resound by Simon Williams , chief executive officer Of Anaphylaxis UK : “ A key take - house message is the importance of passenger cleaning their seat area , including the tray table and the tail end - back entertainment system . ”
The report is publish in the journalArchives of Disease in Childhood .
