A319
Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
We had just taken off from ZZZ to ZZZ1 and flight attendants were still in our jump seats. I (Flight Attendant 4) and the Flight Attendant 2 had immediately detected a chemical or fuel type smell that was out of the norm and soon thereafter we received a call from Captain asking if we noticed an odd smell. We replied that we did. The Captain and First Officer had also noticed a smell or fuel odor upfront along with Flight Attendant 1. The Captain; First Officer; and flight attendants all were experiencing some light headedness; scratchy throat and strong metallic taste. The Captain then informed us we would be returning to ZZZ immediately. Upon landing; EMS; police officers and [Company] personnel met us at the plane and inquired about the smell and fuel odor and medical condition of the flight crew after all passengers were deplaned. The flight was canceled; and the entire flight crew was taken by ambulance to the emergency room. The flight crew all were treated for chemical exposure and the diagnosis was exposure to chemical inhalation. Lab tests and vitals were completed by the hospital for all flight crew. I (Flight Attendant 4) was instructed by the hospital to rest at home for 1 day and to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. The flight crew then had to schedule their return back to ZZZ1. That night and the next day is when more symptoms were felt...migraines; coughing; tightness in throat; strong metallic taste; disoriented; and difficulty putting thoughts into words; nausea and fatigue. I was subsequently informed by [Company] Worker's Compensation Administrator that they had received the aircraft's maintenance report from [Company] confirming that this aircraft had an odor and fume event. I am in day 26 and am still experiencing these symptoms causing me to be unable to return to work. In addition; I have also been seen by my personal physician who has prescribed medication for nausea and migraines and has marked me as unable to return to work until another medical evaluation is performed.Proper inspection; maintenance and removal of aircraft from service by [Company] to prevent these type of recurring fume events. My understanding from discussions is that this specific plane; has had eight (8) fume related events including my flight and two thereafter. Keeping this equipment in service that has a history of recurring fume events is not only hazardous to the health; safety and well- being of the flight crew and its passengers it can result in a catastrophic event resulting from the flight crew becoming incapacitated by these fumes.
A319 Flight Attendant reported fuel odor during initial climb. Confirmed with flight deck crew odor throughout aircraft. Flight executed air return for maintenance and crew medical evaluation.