Plane Passengers and Crew Members Sickened from Toxic Fumes: Report

Toxic fumes are leaking into airplanes at an alarming rate, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal.

Since 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received thousands of “fume event” reports, in which toxic fumes from jet engines leak into the cockpit and cabin of commercial jets, per the WSJ. Most modern-day aircraft use a design element called “bleed air,” which pulls air through the engine of a plane. However, as seals in the engines, designed to stop leaks, wear and degrade, oil seeps in and vaporizes in the heat, releasing toxic compounds onboard. 

The WSJ points to the adoption and use of Airbus’ A320s — the world’s best-selling aircraft — which United, American, and Delta Air Lines currently operate, as a contributing factor to the increase in fume events. Among the three largest U.S. airlines in 2024, the A320s reported seven times the rate of fume events as Boeing’s 737s, which do not use the “bleed air” design. 

Meanwhile, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, which primarily operate A320s, saw a combined 660% surge in frequency of fume events between 2016 and 2024, according to the report.

The outlet conducted its investigation based on more than one million FAA and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reports, thousands of documents, and more than 100 interviews. 

Reports of “wet dog,” “Cheetos,” and “nail polish”-smelling odors have led to emergency landings and sickened passengers and crew, according to the WSJ‘s findings.

While exposure to most of the emitted fumes — which consist of unknown quantities of neurotoxins, carbon monoxide, and other chemicals — isn’t toxic, long-term exposure can lead to more serious issues. 

The WSJ spoke to Robert Kaniecki, a neurologist who has treated dozens of pilots and over 100 flight attendants in the last 20 years for brain injuries related to fume exposure. The doctor, who also acts as a consultant to the Pittsburgh Steelers, compared the effects on the brain to a chemical concussion and found the effects “extraordinarily similar” to those experienced by NFL linebackers after taking a big hit. 

The report went on to allege that aircraft manufacturers and airlines have downplayed health risks, lobbied against the adoption of certain safety measures, and made harmful cost-cutting changes. 

“Airbus aircraft are designed and manufactured according to all relevant and applicable airworthiness requirements,” an Airbus spokesperson shared in a statement with PEOPLE. “We are committed to continuously enhancing our products, working closely with operators and regulators to ensure the best possible cabin environment for passengers and crew.”

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Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the FAA pointed to its “Cabin Air Quality” fact sheet that states “studies have shown cabin air is as good as or better than the air found in offices and homes.”

It added: “In rare instances, mechanical issues such as failures of an engine oil seal or recirculation fan bearings can cause fumes to enter the cabin. Airlines are required to report these incidents to the FAA.”

In 2015, the FAA published a report that found the rate of cabin air quality events is less than 33 events per million aircraft departures. That equals about 330 fume events on U.S. airlines last year. However, the WSJ’s analysis found that the number is closer to 108 events per million aircraft departures in 2024.