Exposed to Engine Oil Fumes?

THINK YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO OIL FUMES/SMOKE/MIST ON AN AIRCRAFT?


Find out. Get tested.

Prof. Clem Furlong at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle is developing blood tests to identify whether a person has been exposed to aviation engine oil by looking for evidence of particular oil additives (Tricresylphosphates, or TCPs) in the blood. You need to get your blood drawn within three months of exposure to oil fumes, and preferably within a week.

If you live or plan to be in the Seattle area, you can call Prof. Furlong’s lab at 206-543-1193 and make an appointment to get your blood drawn and submit your paperwork. Bring a signed copy of this consent form and fill out this two-page questionnaire. Driving directions to his lab here. The University of WA will draw your blood for free and there will be no shipping charges. The blood test is under the final stages of development so you may not receive the result for a few months, but your blood sample will be kept frozen until the test is ready.

If you do not live or plan to be in the Seattle area, follow these directions:

1. Take a copy of this request letter to your doctor to get him/her to write an order for the blood draw.

2. Also bring a copy of this consent form for your doctor to sign.

3. Take the blood draw order from your doctor and the blood draw instructions to your local blood draw lab.

4. Sign the consent form that your doctor signed and fill out this two-page questionnaire about what happened during your flight to put your blood sample in context. Make a copy of each form for your records.

5. Mail or fax the signed consent form and the completed questionnaire to Rebecca Richter at UW (rrichter@u.washington.edu or fax: 206-543-3050).

Your medical insurance may or may not pay for the blood draw, but the blood analysis is free. You will need to pay for the overnight courier service to have the sample transported to Prof. Furlong’s lab. Do not ship your sample on a Friday. There will be some delay in analysis, but his lab will notify you of the result.

We encourage you to learn more about Prof. Furlong’s research project. Crewmember unions or other organizations may wish to make a donationto his research. Every penny helps. Any questions, send AFA an email