Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
After service; Flight Attendant B informed me that there is a chemical smell permeating the back galley. Flight Attendant B described it as a strong; pungent; metallic smell. I agree with the description after smelling it. Flight Attendant B said she feels light headed and nauseous. We both have a metallic taste in our mouths and headaches. I called the Captain from the back galley and alerted the Captain to the smell. He recommends that we clean the area with club soda and Sanicom wipes. Flight Attendant B wiped down the floors and the air vents are helping move the smell. The Captain suggested asking the passengers in the back if they can smell it; but they are all currently sleeping. We have requested a cleaning crew to meet the aircraft. We also asked for Maintenance and an Inflight Supervisor and decided to keep [Catering] from opening the aft door until the smell was investigated.The plane was met by three Inflight supervisors as well by Aircraft Tech; Maintenance and Captain XX who is a friend of mine and is well versed in the emergency medical I had on another [aircraft] with a toxic smell. Maintenance mopped the area well and both doors were opened for circulation. I believe the determination was made that a now discontinued form disinfecting solution was over used by contract cleaners causing a build up of excess product in the entry door vents and surrounding areas causing the toxic smell.Flight Attendant B was pulled from the flight and was replaced due to still feeling nauseous and light headed. The smell did not return on the next two flights.
After deicing in ZZZ and a lengthy tarmac delay (over 45 minutes from pushback to takeoff); Flight Attendant B began to feel extremely light headed; nauseous; and had a headache. Right after takeoff; Flight Attendant B had to leave the jumpseat to go to the lav due to nausea and had some ginger ale to prevent passing out. After about 15 minutes; Flight Attendant B began to feel slightly better but realized she had no appetite and had a metallic taste in her mouth. Upon further assessment; she realized that a strong chemical smell was the cause of nausea and the smell was not dissipating. Flight Attendant B began service with Flight Attendant C in aft galley. After service; Flight Attendant B and Flight Attendant C were both sitting on the aft jumpseat and the strong odor continued. Flight Attendant A came to the aft galley and Flight Attendant B mentioned the strong odor and that it was causing headache; nausea; and lack of appetite. Flight Attendant A confirmed the smell and Flight Attendant C did also. Flight Attendant A wanted to call the flight deck to report it to the pilots. The Captain advised cleaning the entire aft galley; which seemed unrealistic. Flight Attendant B felt that it was likely a cleaning solution and possibly on the floor of the galley. Flight Attendant B covered the aft galley floor in seltzer water and mopped up the seltzer with C folds; with Flight Attendant C's assistance. Flight Attendant B spent the rest of the flight in the cabin and front galley where the smell was not present. Flight Attendant B requested that an Inflight Supervisor be present to witness the odor; and mentioned that she would ask [Catering] to thoroughly mop the floors with water in ZZZ1. Flight Attendant B used peppermint oil to help with nausea and light headedness during final descent and used a nuisance mask to prevent inhaling further fumes when on final descent. The fumes were noticeably stronger near the jumpseat and in the corner by the aft entry door. Upon arrival in ZZZ1; Engineering; Inflight Supervisors; and Maintenance were present. After Flight Attendant B identified the smell/taste as acetone and explained the morning in ZZZ; Engineering discovered that the issue was a disinfectant used on the lavatories and floors; which; when mixed with glycol from deicing; caused a strong odor of acetone and this was a known issue so the cleaner was being phased out.
B737-700 flight attendants reported chemical odor permeating the aft galley causing the B Flight Attendant to experience physiological issues and removal from subsequent flights.