A321
Flight Attendant Current
Troubleshooting; Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
FO turned on the packs; a terrible smell filled the cabin-dirty socks and cow manure. The #3 and I (#4) immediately found it difficult to breathe and my eyes started to burn mildly. I went to the flight deck to notify the FO (the Captain was not on board) of the smell; I told her it smelled like the last fume event I was in but she did not turn off the packs and wanted to see if the smell would dissipate. I returned to the flight deck again and told her that the #3 was having chest tightness and having a hard time breathing. I reiterated that my eyes were burning and that it was difficult to breathe. She finally turned off the packs.I should not have had to visit the flight deck twice to convey something that was pretty clear...this was not a normal smell and; coupled with the fact that two flight attendants were having adverse reactions-which was conveyed in the first visit- action should have been taken immediately. A wait and see approach was unacceptable.
Right before boarding the #3 and #1 were standing at 2L/R when she noticed a horrible smell. We both took our masks off to confirm the issue. It smelled like a dirty diaper that then smelled like dirty socks.  It was most noticeable in my area then it spread to other areas of the cabin. The 3 went to the flight deck and alerted the First Officer since the Captain had not boarded the aircraft yet. It became so strong I went to the front galley and got another mask for the #3 and I to layer on top of our masks. Once the Captain boarded he removed the aircraft from service. My chest was very tight and was hard to breath; I was nauseous; and a bit dizzy.
Air Carrier Flight Attendants reported a fume event during preflight prior to boarding. The Captain summoned maintenance and removed the aircraft from service.