How to Stay Hygienic When Traveling by Air
How much are you at risk on a plane, as
opposed to other forms of transport? This is more important now than at any
time in the history of aviation, and with international flights extending
further afield and to more exotic places, is there a clear and present danger
from infectious diseases on a plane?
The dangers of flying
There are known side effects of flying that
everyone should be aware of, such as deep vein thrombosis, hypertension,
earache, and dehydration. These are caused by limited mobility, changes in
cabin pressure, altitude, and oxygen levels which, in most people cause only
minor stress, but those with underlying health conditions may be more
susceptible.
Getting up and moving around when it is
safe to do so, avoiding salted peanuts and alcohol, and drinking plenty of
water will help reduce the risk of all of these things. But there is another
hidden risk to those on board a plane—the risk of catching an infection.
What is the risk of catching a serious infection?
The risk of catching a common cold on a
flight is 100 times greater than in the airport, according to a Journal of Environmental Health
Research study in 2004. This is due to the low humidity drying up the
mucus in your nose, which acts as a natural defense against infection by
filtering out the germs, coupled with the large number of people in an enclosed
space.
But is there a greater risk of catching
anything more sinister, such as COVID-19? First, you need to understand how
viruses such as the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 work.
The transmission of respiratory infections
is spread mainly through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, and these
droplets tend to fall close to the infected person, usually within one meter.
However, the microbes can then be transferred onto other surfaces such as door
handles, trays, and magazines, which other people touch.
They, in turn, touch their face, rub their
nose and eyes, and so the infection spreads. So, to catch the virus, you need
first of all to be close to an infected person or to touch something that they
have touched. In that sense, you are no more at risk on a plane than in any
other enclosed public space.
Can infections be transmitted through the air-circulation
system?
It is commonly
thought that diseases are spread through the aircraft via the air-circulation
system, so if someone coughs at the back of the plane, the pathogens are sent
to the front through the tiny nozzle you adjust to get cool air on your face.
This is highly
unlikely, as there are High-Efficiency
Particulate Air, (HEPA ) filters fitted on all
commercial aircraft. These remove at least 99.9% of microscopic particles from
the air, and with 20 to 30 air changes per hour, the air on a plane is probably
cleaner than that in your home or your office.
How clean is your plane?
The quick answer is not as clean as you would like. During
the 40-minute turn-around, there is only enough time to tidy up a little, with
a more thorough clean after the last flight of the day. This will involve
wiping down and disinfecting trays, toilets, overhead bins, and seats.
According
to Christian Rooney, manager of JetWash Aero, a specialist aviation cleaning
company responsible for cleaning the planes, they only do a deep clean of the
aircraft every four to six weeks, and although the disinfectants used will
destroy pathogens and viruses, the antimicrobial protection lasts for just 10
days. That is a long time to get dirty again!
Personal Protective Equipment vs Hygiene methods
More people now are turning to PPE—face
masks, gloves, eye protection—for everyday chores and activities, but just how
effective are these on a flight?
Gloves:
These protect your hands, so if you have a
cut or an abrasion on your skin they may prevent infections that way, but why
not simply use a band-aid if that’s the case? Germs and bacteria can survive on
all kinds of material for several hours or even days, so if you do wear gloves,
make sure you use the disposal vinyl kind.
Face masks:
There is a lot of controversy over the
effectiveness of face masks. Provided they are well fitted and cover the nose,
they will offer some protection by filtering out droplets if you happen to be
in direct line of an infected person when they cough. They also act to prevent
you from touching your nose and mouth, a common entry point for viruses.
However, your eyes remain vulnerable.
Eye protection:
Used in conjunction with a face mask, safety
glasses or goggles provide effective protection from splatter if someone coughs
or sneezes in your direction. Look for those that shield the sides as well, and
for comfort, spectacles are better than elasticated goggles.
Hand sanitizer and disinfectant
wipes
Dr. Paulo Alves, a fellow of the Civil Aviation
Medical Association, stated recently that the most
effective measure is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water and use
hand sanitizer in between washes.
Also, to wipe the table surface, where it is more
likely for droplets to land after someone coughs or sneezes, and avoid touching
your face.
Other ways to minimize risk
Take the window seat
Choosing a window seat will reduce the risk of catching something
from a cough or sneeze, because there is only one person who can sit next to
you, and you will be more than one meter from the aisle, where people are
passing all the time. This tactic only works on a three-three configuration,
with the aisle down the middle. If your aircraft is a two-five-two, then the
safest place is probably the middle of the center row.
Last on – first off
By reducing the amount of time sitting on
the aircraft, you are reducing your level of exposure to pathogens. Obviously,
on long-haul flights, the percentage reduction is minimal, but on flights of two-three
hours, it can make a difference. Your position on the plane is significant when
using this tactic, especially on larger planes where people are called forward
by seat numbers. Choose one of the front rows for the least exposure, but away
from the aisle where people queue for the toilet.
Pay by card
Viruses can survive on coins for up to four
hours and dollar bills for up to 72 hours, so it would be a good idea to pay
for any in-flight purchases by card, contactless if possible, and always clean
the card with a disposable disinfectant wipe after someone else has handled it—even
if they were wearing gloves.
So is it safe to fly now?
Whilst it is highly unlikely that serious
diseases like influenza and coronavirus can be passed through the aircraft’s
air-circulation system, or even a common cold for that matter, there are still
issues around the cleanliness and levels of hygiene that mean that personal
protective measures are recommended.
However, the use of PPE should only be
considered if you have underlying health issues, and then not to be used at the
expense of other things like hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes for surfaces,
and of course washing your hands with soap and warm water as often as you can.a
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