A320
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Is there any way to know what de-icing fluids are contaminating the APU during a pre-flight walk-around? Are there any obvious signs that we should look for? During boarding; after ground air removal; I started the APU and selected the APU bleed on. The First Officer and myself noticed a strange odor coming from the vents. It smelled like dirty socks/musty dry at some points and alcohol/cleaning solution at other points. Maintenance was notified and a logbook entry was made. The cabin odor sheet was also filled out. The APU bleed was selected off to not expose the passengers and ground air was reconnected. After consulting with Maintenance; we decided to deplane the passengers and crew for the Maintenance troubleshooting. It was discovered that the plane was flown from ZZZ2 and could have possibly de-iced. The de-icing fluid could have entered the APU inlet and cause the event. After deplaning; I checked with the First Officer and cabin crew to see if they were experiencing any symptoms. They said they didn't have any symptoms. I felt lightheaded; dizzy and had a slight burning sensation in my lungs/chest. I called the Chief Pilot on duty and let him know of my symptoms. I called medic and was removed from the rest of my pairing and seen at an urgent care.
A320 Captain reported a fume event during boarding resulting in passengers deplaning and aircraft being turned over to Maintenance.