Atropine Treatment following: Aerotoxic Airline Fume Events

Aerotoxic Syndrome Fume Events on airlines are created by the Organophosphate Poisoning from the VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds such as the TCP tricresyl phosphate, acrolein, formaldehyde, aromatic amines, phenyl-1-naphthylamine as well as other various carcinogenic and neurotoxic chemicals. This Organophosphate Poisoning in humans causes the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which leads to the accumulation of neurotoxic acetylcholine (ACh) in the body. These Fume Events bring about the identical symptoms and chronic health conditions as those who have been exposed to toxic levels of pesticides, nerve agents or Sarin gas. One of the most effective things that can be done for treatment immediately following an airline Fume Event is to have the injured party given an injection of Atropine at the hospital. It acts as an (MRA) muscarinic receptor antagonist and anticholinergic, agent which blocks the negative, neurotoxic effects of acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous system. This is accomplished by inhibiting the parasympathetic nerve impulses to the brain by selectively blocking the binding of acetylcholine to its receptor in the nerve cells due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.

This is a very important piece of knowledge that every Flight Attendant, Pilot, and Passenger that travels need to be informed about. It is very frustrating learning this personally since I have incurred multiple Fume Events and this very effective treatment was never offered to myself or any of my injured crew members over the years. We all just go into these Occupational Medicine Clinics and Emergency Rooms with full blind trust that the correct and best treatment will be provided for us. Unfortunately, this could not be further from the case. It all ranges from the incorrect diagnosis, the wrong tests being performed or no tests being performed at all and then followed by ineffective or incorrect treatment being prescribed. We each have to be our own best informed personal Medical Advocate since many of these facilities have a vested interest to not document or treat our injuries properly. They have been financially compromised by airline management and the government aviation lobby to hide and conceal the truth about Fume Events.

Even our military troops who are likely to be attacked with chemical weapons often carry autoinjectors with atropine and obidoxime, for rapid injection into the muscles of the thigh. Antimuscarinics are also used as anti-parkinsonian drugs. In Parkinson’s there is the imbalance between levels of acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain. One method of balancing the neurotransmitters is through blocking central cholinergic activity using muscarinic receptor antagonists.

This injection must be given if used within 48 hrs of the Fume Event exposure. After this time has passed then it is too late for the Atropine to work since the toxic effects will have already binded to your receptors. There is also a very effective medically supervised Chemical Detox Treatment which can be performed to remove these toxins. Unfortunately, locating a Toxicologist or Western Medical doctor that the insurance company will accept is literally impossible by design. You will find some Alternative Medicine professionals who can provide the Detox but only at astronomical high out of pocket costs. You will most likely get the treatment approved if you wait out the process for your on the job injury claim. The downside of this is that each month you wait for the medically supervised detox procedure to be covered, there is a 10% reduction of effectiveness with each passing month one waits for initial treatment to begin.

It is with that in mind that it is so important that all Flight Attendants, Pilots, and Passengers are aware as well as educated about the crucial timeline for the Atropine treatment following an Airline Fume Event. It could be the one thing that saves you from years of chronic pain and debilitating effects. However, you have to know about this to ask for it. The chances are extremely high that the medical facility will have no Toxicologist on staff. Most occupational and ER medical providers will not be trained to offer Atropine for your injury unless you request it for the Organophosphate Poisoning that you have incurred.