MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Attendant Current
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Physiological - Other
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Aircraft; Company Policy; Procedure; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Jet fuel spill; there was a strong odor throughout the cabin. I told the Captain after being on plane approximately 10 minutes that I was feeling nausea due to the toxic odor; and he said I should have myself removed from trip. He advised me they were cleaning the fuel up and that there really wasn't much that could be done to get rid of odor until we backed up from gate. I called Duty Office and let them know this was making me sick and the advised me to call the Tower. I asked why; and they said to let them know about odor in cabin. At that point the Captain advised me again I should have myself removed from trip; and that he preferred that I do not work the trip if I was that nauseas. This would cause me to lose money as well as have sick call on my record. The Captain said smell was getting better in back of the plane; so I went back there and put a couple of tissues over my face to help cover the odor; mind you its approximately 95 degrees outside; aircraft is on in air conditioner blowing around fumes so my choice was to stay on plane because I can not afford to lose any money or have another sick call on my record.  After boarding plane and then pushing back it was approximately 45 minutes of breathing in these toxic fuel smell; not only was I nauseas I became dizzy. At this point all I can do is work the flight and work through being sick. I'm sure there are better options out there; such as get another plane; move this plane to another gate away from fuel spill; all of which I know cost money and time; but given my limited option at the time I really should have removed myself if I could have afforded to money wise and sick call wise. This really should not be a position we as crew or passenger should be put in.
A fuel spill near a parked MD-82 admitted fuel fumes into the cabin which made a Flight Attendant nauseas but she worked the flight because she could not afford the pay loss or a sick day on her record.