A study has measured the levels of ultrafine particles inhaled by airline passengers. French researchers, including a team from Université Paris Cité, assembled a set of instruments and placed it on empty passenger seats or in the galley during flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to various European destinations.
Ultrafine particles are invisible and often go undetected by standard monitoring methods, which is why they are not regulated by air pollution laws. In 2021, both the Dutch Health Council and the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed to increasing evidence that these particles harm health, citing around 75 studies mostly focused on lung inflammation, blood pressure, heart issues, and risks to fetal growth. However, differences between the studies prevented the WHO from setting a safety standard. More recently, a study of nearly 11 million people in the Netherlands linked long-term exposure to ultrafine particles to early deaths, including from lung cancer.
There was some positive news for air travelers: cabin air showed very low levels of ultrafine particles during cruise altitude when the outside air is relatively clean. On the ground, however, the situation was different. The highest concentrations were recorded during boarding and taxiing, averaging more than double the level the WHO considers high. This polluted air was mostly cleared from the cabin once airborne but increased again during approach and landing, likely due to high concentrations near flight paths and downwind from airports—a pattern also observed at destination airports.
A similar trend was seen with black carbon, or soot particles, which also peaked when the aircraft was on the ground.
This is a significant concern, especially as global air passenger numbers are projected to surpass 5 billion for the first time this year. Aircraft remain a relatively polluting form of transport, with far fewer emission controls compared to road traffic and industry.
A separate review of health studies noted a lack of research on how air pollution affects the more than 2 million civilian and military personnel working at airports worldwide.
Ultrafine particles from Charles de Gaulle Airport are not only inhaled by people at the airport but also spread into nearby communities. Concentrations 1 km from the airport were comparable to those just a few meters from Paris’s busy ring road. At London Gatwick, levels about 500 meters from the perimeter fence exceeded those beside central London’s busiest roads.
Ultrafine particles from Charles de Gaulle could be detected more than 5 km away. In London, particles from Heathrow were found across west and central London, meaning millions of people are breathing them in.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Air Travel Ultrafine Particle Pollution
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What are ultrafine particles
Ultrafine particles are tiny specks of pollution so small they are measured in nanometers They are much smaller than a human hair or even the dust you can see which allows them to travel deep into the lungs and bloodstream
2 What does this new study say about air travel
A recent study found that air travelers are exposed to extremely high levels of ultrafine particle pollution primarily during takeoff and landing when the planes engines are at low power and less efficient The air inside the cabin can have concentrations hundreds of times higher than typical urban levels
3 Where do these particles come from on a plane
They come almost entirely from the planes jet engines When engines burn fuel especially at low thrust settings they release these ultrafine particles which are then drawn into the aircrafts cabin air supply system
4 Is the air on a plane not filtered
Yes planes use HEPA filters that are very effective at removing viruses bacteria and larger particles However these ultrafine particles are so tiny that a significant number can pass through these filters and circulate in the cabin
5 Should I be worried about my health from a single flight
For most healthy travelers on occasional trips the shortterm risk is considered low The primary concern is for frequent fliers who have repeated longterm exposure which could potentially impact respiratory and cardiovascular health over time
Advanced Practical Questions
6 Are some seats worse than others
Yes exposure can vary Generally seats near the wings and engines may have slightly higher exposure levels However because the particles circulate quickly in the cabin air the difference throughout the plane is not dramatic
7 How does this exposure compare to daily city pollution
The peak levels during takeoff and landing can be hundreds of times higher than the average levels in a polluted city However the exposure duration is much shorter The concern is the intensity of the bursts of exposure
8 What are the potential longterm health effects
Longterm highlevel exposure to ultrafine particles is linked in other environments to increased risks of respiratory inflammation cardiovascular issues and other systemic health problems More research
