A321
Physiological - Other
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Aircraft
Upon descending... during final cabin prep for landing. I was made aware of a smell in the back of aircraft. It began to travel forward to the front of aircraft. Not only did Flight Attendants (FA) smell that strange smell (dirty sock)... passengers asked as well: 'What is the strange smell?' We are instructed to report such to flight deck. So everyone said... go report to flight deck and we will finish walk through. We all felt strange. The flight deck said they smell it too. My head started hurting and my eyes felt strange... my chest had a little pain and a little daze. The [other Flight Attendants] tasted something metallic in their mouths and throats. After landing I did my arrival procedures... Verified; stand by for all call ...some of the Flight Attendants sounded weird... sluggish. I felt strange as well. Start feeling less light headed when were on the jet way.I don't understand how to eliminate fumes. The pilot said once they smelled it they put on their oxygen mask. I believe we should be trained to apply oxygen to ourselves so... we need nothing to affect our ability to respond. As stated the [other Flight Attendants] sounded weird or sluggish on PA. So we should have put of portable oxygen mask as well when a fume incident occurs.
15-20 minutes before landing we had strong cabin odor/fume that all 4 Flight Attendants (FA) smelled at the same time and never smelled before. A FA contacted Captain to complain of odor. The F FA said passenger in front of her seat noticed smell also. Felt pressure on my chest during descent. After landing felt very light headed; disoriented and shaky after deplaning. Paramedics met flight and did vitals. Whole crew went to the hospital upon Captain's suggestion. I had EKG; chest x-ray; arterial draw testing for neurotoxins and blood pressure. My blood pressure was 188/98 and 185/92 which is very high for me. Never had blood pressure issues. Concerned for my health for chemicals in uniforms and toxic fumes from job. My carbon monoxide level was 5 which they questioned. The smell on aircraft was very strong and different from anything I have ever smelled. To me the smell was like very stale musty air.
A321 Flight Attendant crew reported a strange odor on the aircraft during descent; all crew members affected and went to the hospital. Lead Flight Attendant recommended that they should also be trained to use portable oxygen during fume events.