A330
Flight Attendant Current
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Immediately upon rotation on take off out of ZZZ; intense fumes filled the cabin. Since it was safety related; I called the Captain under 10;000 feet.  He said he would get back with me shortly. When he contacted me; he stated we were returning to the gate and to do prepare the cabin for a normal routing landing back in ZZZ. The flight deck was on oxygen masks. Flight attendants passengers were having difficulty breathing from the intense fumes throughout the cabin. The oxygen masks should have been deployed to aid with the breathing difficulties we were having in the cabin. We were exposed to intoxicating fumes in the cabin and flight deck for approximately one hour. The oxygen masks should have been deployed in order to assist with breathing under these conditions.
On takeoff from ZZZ; heavy; dirty; greasy fumes were detected in cabin. Difficulty breathing; itchy sore throat; irritated eyes due to fumes. Captain  contacted all flight attendants saying that we were returning to ZZZ and to prepare for normal routine landing. Pilots were using oxygen mask. Flight attendants were using wet paper towels to cover nose and mouth in order to breath. This did not offer much protection from heavy toxic fumes. Passengers had cloths or hands over nose and mouth as well. Flight was met by paramedics. Crew was evaluated.  If pilots were on oxygen then flight attendants and passengers should also be on oxygen. From takeoff to arriving at gate back in ZZZ we were all exposed to heavy; dirty; greasy; acrid fumes for approximately 1 hour. That's a long time to breath these toxic fumes. Oxygen mask in cabin should have been deployed in my opinion.
A330 Flight Attendant crew reported to the pilots 'intense fumes' in cabin immediately after takeoff. Flight executed an uneventful return to departure airport.