A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Arrived to preflight and found AC (Aircraft) with APU running but no bleed air or external air. AC was very hot and had a 'strong body odor'. Turned on APU bleed and cooled AC but FA (Flight Attendant) still complained about smell. Called Maintenance and they researched the smell but could not locate. They called their supervisor who also did not find the cause. They said it was just stale E&E (Electrical and Environmental) air circulating. Supervisors supervisor showed up with two other Maintenance personnel and did another inspection. They said that they could smell a faint smell but could not pinpoint or locate it and signed off logbook. FA called their supervisors to aircraft in which they said that they could smell the smell. They then took 3 of the 4 [Flight Attendants] off the trip to hospital. Then the head of Maintenance showed up and said he smelled the smell. He promptly called and had the AC removed from line and moved to hanger and also lined up a replacement aircraft. He stated that we were not going to fly that AC with a smell. My write up in logbook was about a strong odor aboard which was signed off OK by Maintenance. While we were retrieving our bags another Maintenance person a showed up and wanted me to write in the logbook refused aircraft. I did make the entry but the head of Maintenance had already removed the AC from the line.
A321 Captain reported upon arrival to preflight that the aircraft had a 'strong body odor.' After Maintenance replaced aircraft; two Flight Attendants were treated for physiological symptoms from cabin fumes.