This is an airline call that millions of people are familiar with. To protect passengers with allergies, avoid eating peanut-based foods during the flight.
But now, the biggest review of its kind suggests that announcements banning nuts from flights are “unlikely to be effective” and may even give people with nut allergies a false sense of security.
There is no evidence that nut allergens can be spread through aircraft ventilation systems, as is commonly believed, experts in allergy medicine and aviation medicine say in a paper published in the Archives of Childhood Disease. .
Allergens lingering on surfaces such as tray tables and seatback video screens pose the main risk, and the short travel times deployed by many low-cost airlines are likely to increase the risk, experts say. suggested.
The researchers also said that allergic reactions to food are about 10 to 100 times lower during flights than on the ground, but this is because passengers with food allergies are more careful during flights. He acknowledged that this may be due to the fact that
People with nut allergies do not need to worry about spreading their allergen through the aircraft’s air conditioning system, but should ask to be allowed to board first so the seating area can be cleaned. concluded the scholars.
Experts from Imperial College London and the Aviation Medical Consultancy surveyed ventilation systems to investigate the general perception that peanut and tree nut particles can be transmitted through aircraft ventilation systems. An analysis of research on passing nut particles was carried out.
Their analysis, funded by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the UK Medical Research Council, concluded that “research studies show no evidence to support airborne transmission of nut allergens as a likely phenomenon”.
“Announcements calling for a ban on nuts are therefore unsupported and may instill a false sense of security,” they wrote. Airlines should instead allow people with allergies to wipe down seating areas “before boarding.”
But the authors said people at risk for a severe allergic reaction (also called anaphylaxis) should carry two filled EpiPen devices at all times, including when flying. Airlines should also consider providing a separate supply of “general purpose” adrenaline auto-injectors.
Professor Paul Turner, an anaphylaxis and allergy expert at the University of Sydney and Imperial College London, said: “When you fly, you don’t need to worry about what food you’re transmitting through the air.
“We found no evidence that nut particles could pass through an airplane’s cabin ventilation system and cause a reaction. One thing people must do to protect themselves is is to clean.
“Foods that cause allergies are very sticky and can be found on seating surfaces, table tops, seatback entertainment screens, etc. When people touch these surfaces, allergens can enter their mouths. It may move.
“If people with food allergies are allowed to board first and have time to clean the seating area with things like baby wipes and antibacterial wipes, they are much less likely to have an accidental reaction.”
He further added: “We are working with a number of major airlines, patient groups and anaphylaxis charities to consider whether we can make consistent changes to airline policy across airlines operating outside the UK and overseas to reflect the evidence. We are having a consultation and it is making a real difference for passengers with food allergies.”
Simon Williams, chief executive of Anaphylaxis UK, added: “A key lesson is the importance of passengers cleaning their seating areas, including tray tables and seatback entertainment systems.”
