EMB ERJ 190/195 ER/LR
Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
We taxied and held for a ground stop. While sitting on the ground a noxious odor came through the cabin quickly. It filled the entire cabin and cockpit in less than 30 seconds. The pilots called the flight attendants to see if we knew what the odor was. We walked through the cabin and determined it was not coming from a passenger. Flight attendants kept in touch with pilots throughout situation. Pilots cut off bleed air and the odor diminished. Flight Attendant 1 and 2 informed pilots that we both did not feel well. We complained of being lightheaded; dizzy; burning eyes; chest pain; headache; foggy; pressure in head. Pilots called back and said we may return to the gate but they would wait to see about the ground hold. Five minutes later the Captain made an announcement that we were cleared for takeoff. Both flight attendants thought we were going back to the gate. Passengers were complaining the entire time of the odor event as well. One woman thought the airplane was on fire. During flight; the flight attendants symptoms got increasingly worse. After landing; flight attendants told the pilots that we were calling this in as a fume event. They said; 'Well; what do you want us to do; write it up? We don't even know what to write it up as.' Management met the flight and really didn't know what to do either. They said they could call paramedics if we felt like getting checked out. Medics came and took us to the hospital. Both flight attendants had extremely high blood pressure. No one with the company checked on us. We were told that if we called in sick for our next trip the following morning; we would be penalized. The Company needs to take this seriously. I could possibly have on going health issues regarding this event. What if the passengers get sick? The pilots should have returned to the gate to have the plane checked out. They smelled the odor too; but were so concerned with making their flight home that they decided to put our health aside and fly an airplane with an issue. No one has followed up with me; even though it's procedure that someone will.
ERJ-190 Flight Attendant reported noxious odor in passenger cabin during ground stop prior to departure and during flight. Flight attendants experienced health issues; and received numerous passenger complaints.