A319
Flight Attendant Current
Human-Machine Interface; Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Maintenance Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Airport; Equipment / Tooling
The incident; yesterday; was a combination of toxic fumes/kind of smoky event; which occurred in the front galley/cockpit and cabin areas of the aircraft; as wells as in the jetway vicinity of the aircraft; which was parked at gate. When I; FA (Flight Attendant) #1; boarded the aircraft; the aircraft was really hot. The temperature was 98 degrees in the cockpit and similar in the cabin; even if I do not recall the exact details. Boarding was delayed. The aircraft APU was broken; and the jetway air conditioning was broken as well; so an air truck was called to cool the cabin. A few minutes after it was hooked up to the aircraft; all the FAs noticed a strong odor; like exhaust fumes odor; and haze in the galley and cabin. FA #1 asked the Captain what was it; but the Captain came out of the cockpit with the technician who was also there; and directed us to exit the aircraft. We all went on the jetway area; including the Captain and the First Officer; but also the jetway was filled with fumes; haze/smoke/dense air in the jetway. The air was blue/purple in color. It was not clear. We looked outside and saw that the air truck had kind of the same smoke; the same color; blue/purple; around the hose which was hooked up to the aircraft. The jetway area was also unbearable. My eyes were burning; so we exited to the gate air. With the air and the air conditioned in the gate area; my eyes felt better. I recall the First Officer saying to the agent that those were toxic fumes; and that we should change gates. The gate right next to us was available. The Captain asked us how were we doing and mentioned filing a fumes report. 4 mechanics arrived to the aircraft and at the bottom of the aircraft. We could see them talking animatedly. The Captain said that we were changing gates. I also received a notification of our gate change. We gathered our belongings to go to the new gate. As soon as we arrived to the gate area; a new air truck arrived; and we were told that we were remaining at gate. After 10-15 minutes; we were told that the aircraft was cool enough to board; so we boarded the aircraft. However; when I arrived to the front of the aircraft; the jetways was still filled with fumes: we could see haze and that the air was dense; and we could still smell them. FA #1's eyes began to burn again. The front galley was the same; even if the aircraft temperature was cooler. One of the managers was in the aircraft; speaking to FA #4; in the middle of the cabin. FA #1 approached them and said that she was unable to be in the boarding area like this; as it was still filled with fumes and haze; and she was not feeling good. FA #4 also said that the haze and smell was all the way to the back of the aircraft. FA #1 and FA #4 decided to get off the aircraft and get checked to see if we inhaled any of those toxic fumes. FA #2 mentioned that his nose was stuffed; and he couldn't smell anything. He also mentioned that he lost his glasses; and that he had an old pair on him; so he couldn't even see the haze. For these reasons; decided to remain on the aircraft.When we got to the gate area; the agent told FA #1 that I did not look so good; and made me sit down. He went to retrieve a bottle of water and gave it to me. My manager arrived to the gate area; and together with FA #4; we went to the crew room; where transportation was arranged for us to hospital. Good thing; because; as soon as FA #1 arrived to the crew room; I started getting lightheaded and nauseated as well. At hospital; FA #1 and FA #4 were separated. FA #4 texted FA #1 that her blood was taken many times; that her toxicity levels were high (2.3 versus .5 low); and she was put on oxygen. FA #1 vitals were taken; and I was told that my blood pressure was really high 165/94. My blood pressure is usually within normal ranges; and I am not in any kind of blood pressure medicines; but I suspect that it was high due to the fumes exposure; as it was high maybe 5 or 6 years ago; when I was also exposed to aircraft fumes at work. My blood was taken only once; and; after 2 hours; I was told that my sample was lost due to a recalibration problem of the machine at the hospital; and that they needed to take more blood. Of course; at that time; the results were not going to be as indicative as 2 hours prior. The young man who came to take my blood; poked me really hard 3 times. I was in pain; and he was not able to draw any blood. I have to say that all of the personnel I saw were either students from University displaying their badges or assistant physicians. I was not able to see any licensed physicians; so I was so frustrated that nobody could make me feel better; that I told the young man not to make any other attempts to draw my blood; and that I wanted to be discharged; so the attending physician discharged me with a note stating that she conducted an evaluation and concluded that I was exposed to carbon monoxide/toxic fumes. Since FA #1 was still feeling lightheaded and nauseated; and now I was feeling my heart palpitating. I started crying; and; when I told my husband how was I feeling; he immediately took me to another hospital; not too far from where we live. There; they did take a successful blood test without hurting me; and exposure to carbon monoxide was confirmed (the level was 2.0; approximately 7 hours after exposure); but I was told that the level was decreasing. I was immediately put on oxygen and later discharged. I was told to follow up with my primary care physician; which I did; and Industrial Medicine. I already followed up with my primary care physician and; little by little; I will follow up with everyone.The airline should have replaced the aircraft containing toxic fumes with another one and should have removed the fumes aircraft from service until it could have been properly aired through. Supervisors should have immediately removed the entire crew from operating the flight; when exposure to toxic fumes was suspected and symptoms were detected. The company should have moved the flight to the next gate which was free of toxic fumes; and should have given the chance for gate to be aired through before resuming operations at that gate. Initially; we received a communication that the gate was changed; but soon after the gate was changed back. By using the same aircraft and the same gate; now Company exposed the new personnel; and all the passengers; including the small children who were on the flight; to toxic fumes. In my opinion; since at least 2 Flight Attendants displayed symptoms of toxic fumes exposure; the strategy chosen by Company personnel to continue operation of the same aircraft and at the same gate was careless and irresponsible.
A319 Flight Attendant reported a cabin fumes event resulting in removal of two flight attendants from flight; who were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.