Unfiltered Breathed in: The Truth About Aerotoxic Syndrome (2015) User Reviews

Not a valid documentary

[jamesb-32766 · 1/10 · 15 January 2017]

While the film claims to be a "documentary," it really amounts to nothing more than a propaganda film for a fictitious "syndrome" that is not recognized in aviation medicine.

No valid scientific study has been able to establish that the air in modern airliner cabins has ever exceeded known toxic levels. The amount of toxic chemicals in aviation oil is way too low to cause a problem with human health, even if that oil leaked into the cabin air stream, which rarely ever happens.

The allegation that Richard Westgate died as a result of breathing cabin air is false. He died by his own hand, after consuming a toxic amount of an illegal drug.

A 2013 study of 332 crew members who had reported fumes or odors during their last flight, was unable to detect metabolites of TCP in their urine samples. The conclusion of that study was that "...health complaints could not be linked to TCP exposure in cabin air." There is no valid science to support the false claims made in this film.

Unfortunately a valid documentary

[severinkh · 10/10 · 31 January 2017]

As a Federal Aviation Safety Investigator I am involved in the investigation of several cases of crew members who became seriously injured after experiencing a so-called fume event. Since I am obligated to take into account all facts available for my analysis, I had to watch the documentary "Unfiltered Breathed In: The Truth About Aerotoxic Syndrome" by Mr. van Beveren as well. To my surprise some of the victims I have met during my investigation were introduced in the film with their personal health issue. I also have had a chance to talk to Prof. Abou-Donia and Prof. Heutelbeck myself about the physiological implications after inhaling toxic substances. The facts referring to persons presented in the film whom I am familiar with are in accordance with the information I obtained. Furthermore, the fact that there are toxic substances in specific fluids used for aircraft (e.g. hydraulic fluid, engine oil), and that there is a possible way by design for them to enter the cabin via the bleed air system is without doubt. Therefore, I do not impeach the general validity of the presented facts in the documentary film, although I rather would have preferred the opposite conclusion.

Unfiltered Breathed In - an educational and shocking documentary

[avalonn-93776 · 10/10 · 28 January 2017]

This documentary is an eye-opener for passengers and crew alike. Years of collected scientific data by renowned toxicology and medical experts show with easy to understand explanations, that there is clearly plenty of proof that the air circulating in aircraft is not as clean as one should be able to expect. Talk about jet-lag. Clearly not. Nervous system symptoms that people experience after inhaling toxic fumes can be clearly connected and compared to symptoms that are evident in types of chemical poisonings that directly affect the nervous system. I did some research and came up with "Aircrew Exposure to Chemicals in Aircraft: Symptoms of Irritation and Toxicity" and " The Toxicity of Commercial Jet Oils" by two highly recognized scientists, interviewed in the film, who have done a lot of work in to this subject. They say that materials used in the operation of aircraft may contain hazardous ingredients, some with significant toxicities . They found that some maintenance or operational activities, which are well described in the film can contaminate the aircraft cabin air. Occasionally, such exposures seem to be of a magnitude to induce symptoms of toxicity. I did some further investigation, and found that many of the other present, in the film mentioned fumes, are very toxic, even cancerous and are listed on the WHO ICD-10 list of illnesses caused by toxins. More really shocking reality is described in the film, but see for yourself. Everybody can do their own research after viewing and find that this documentary is well on the level of " highly educational and factual" with very good work done by the film maker. In my opinion a must–see film for everybody flying.

Of course it is a valid documentary...

[oliverlindenau · 10/10 · 28 January 2017]

Everybody should know the truth and watch this excellent documentary. I'm sick of these industrial trolls working for the airline industry trying play down this kind of proved intoxication that is taking place in the cabin of aircraft. I am a former cabin chief from a very large German airline and i lost my health and my job due to this intoxication. We are a very large group of former flight attendants and pilots from all over Europe with all the same strong symptoms and health damages after fume events. The toxins that belong to hydraulic oil and jet fuel were found in high dose in the urine and in blood sample after the fume event. It is scientific proved and everybody who wants to see these results are free to do so. The insurance Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in Germany know these facts as well as the actual studies from the independent medical doctor in Göttingen / Germany who has proved these connections for the first time. But instead of helping these victims they reject hundreds of requests and they force the ill people to go to the courts what take ages. These found toxins are known for damaging the nerve system and they have a narcotic effect (toluene). You don't want these toxins in the blood and lung of a pilot flying your plane. In this movie the journalist Tim van Beveren, who is a expert in these topic, has done a absolutely reliable research work. I know some of these former flight attendants reporting in this movie personally and it is a shame what was done to them by their employer. And it is a well known swindle of the airline industry and their trolls just to talk about the dangerous TCP (Tricresylphosphate)... there are hundreds of toxic components in the cabin air coming unfiltered from the jet engine. The mentioned study of jamesb-32766322 from 2013 is not independent and not reliable, because it was influenced by the the airline industry. There are many different high toxic organophosphates, VOC's and dissolvents (all found in the blood and urine) but in the studies there were just looking for one (TCP) and the circumstances and the experimental set up was not published. When you see this documentary, where specialists and coroners talking about these facts you will see your next flight and the following indisposition in a new light and you should be smart enough to take a urine sample in within 24 hours after flight and place it in the freezer compartment just to be ready if the airline industry says, when you fall ill, the cabin air has nothing to do with your intoxication.

In reply to jamesb-32766

[tvb-260-18483 · 10/10 · 28 January 2017]

As the director of this documentary I feel the need to put a few things straight in regards to the "review" of jamesb, also known as Robert James Boser, self-proclaimed Editor in Chief of a webblog named "AirlineSafety.Com" and quite active on wikipedia.org in "altering" factual information that he dislikes.

Allegation no 1: "it really amounts to nothing more than a propaganda film for a fictitious "syndrome" that is not recognized in aviation medicine."

Wrong! 1. This is not "propaganda" its a film following proper and established journalistic principles and research not conducted a a desk but on sites all around the world and first hand witnesses and expert interviews. 2. the syndrome is not "fictitious" one unfortunately the injuries received by flight crew and passengers are very real and medically documented. There is an ongoing controversy among aviation medical personal about the term "aerotoxic syndrome" but exactly this is also reflected in our film and explained. Mr. Boser prefers to follow the opinion of a former BA head of the medical department who now is working on behalf of a major aircraft manufacturer as a medical adviser. This person and his opinions are also featured in our documentary.

Allegation no 2: "No valid scientific study has been able to establish that the air in modern airliner cabins has ever exceeded known toxic levels. The amount of toxic chemicals in aviation oil is way too low to cause a problem with human health, even if that oil leaked into the cabin air stream, which rarely ever happens."

Wrong ! There is overwhelming evidence of substances found within the blood and urine of affected flight crew after so called "fume events" that render such a statement a plain lie. All can be found at the supporting website to our film.

Allegation no 3: "The allegation that Richard Westgate died as a result of breathing cabin air is false. He died by his own hand, after consuming a toxic amount of an illegal drug."

Again wrong! We never made this allegation in the film, we never stated that he died of breathing cabin air. We documented that he was suffering from the effects of contaminated cabin air. If this made him commit suicide or if he took accidentally an overdose of a specific medication also serving as a severe painkiller if used carefully is not with us to judge. Therefore it is not correct nor appropriate for Mr. Boser to claim what he further stated about Mr. Westgate committing suicide. Exactly this is still subject of an official inquest under British law. Only at the end of this Court proceeding something in this regards may or may not be stated. Actually this statement by Mr. Boser may be regarded as "contempt of Court" as it is solely up to the Coronor in Charge and equaling a Judge instated by her Majesty the Queen to draw such a conclusion.

Allegation no. 4: "A 2013 study of 332 crew members who had reported fumes or odors during their last flight, was unable to detect metabolites of TCP in their urine samples. The conclusion of that study was that "...health complaints could not be linked to TCP exposure in cabin air." "

Wrong. We are very well aware of this particular study which was conducted by the insurance acting on behalf of German airlines and which is based on the PhD thesis of a lady called Barbara Schindler, written in German language. As I seriously doubt that Mr. Boser is capable of understanding German he also errs again in this regards. The thesis clearly states that the methodology used for the sampling mentioned before is not intended nor capable to detect "if the two isomers of cresyl-phosphate are absorbed, metabolized and segregated in urine". The author of the thesis concludes that "possibly the present concentrations are below the detection threshold of 1.0 μg/l and can therefor not be detected with this method."" The aforesaid study as well as Mr. Boser also fail to explain why 100 percent (meaning all!) the urine samples that were analyzed during this study were found positive for TBP, a chemical compound exclusively used in aircraft hydraulic fluids. - Well, never mind Cpt. Boser: to err is human!

Allegation no. 5: "There is no valid science to support the false claims made in this film." Wrong! There are plenty of peer reviewed and published scientific papers, available in every descent university library and some even throughout the internet by very renown scientist clearly stating that this phenomenon is not a hoax nor any unsustained "UFO-theory" .

Tim van Beveren journalist and director of UNFILTERED BREATHED IN