Volume 98 · 1825
Public Law 98–466
To direct the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to conduct an independent study to determine the adequacy of certain industry practices and Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations, and for other purposes.
Approved October 11, 1984
Statutory text
An Act
To direct the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to conduct an independent study to determine the adequacy of certain industry practices and Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1.
The Secretary of Transportation shall, in the inter-est of health and safety, and in the interest of promoting and maintaining a superior United States aviation industry, commission an independent study by the National Academy of Sciences. The study shall determine whether civil commercial aviation industry practices and standards and Federal Aviation Administration rules, regulations, and minimum standards are nondiscriminatory and at least in conformance and parity with nonaviation standards, practices, and regulations for the appropriate maintenance of public and occupational health and safety (including de facto circumstances) in relation to airline cabin air quality for all passengers and crew aboard civil commercial aircraft.
In conducting the study, special and objective considerations shall be given to the uniqueness of the environment onboard civil commercial aircraft. The study shall focus on all health and safety aspects of airline cabin air quality, including but not limited to—
the quantity of fresh air per occupant and overall quality of air onboard;
the quantity and quality of humidification;
onboard environmental conditions and contamination limits, including exposure to radiation;
emergency breathing equipment, including toxic fume-protective breathing equipment;
measures, procedures, and capabilities for detecting and extinguishing fires and the removal of smoke and toxic fumes within safe pressurization limits;
safe pressurization of the aircraft, considering the broad
Public information.
range of cardiopulmonary health of the traveling public, and dissemination of information to the medical profession and the general public of current pressurization limits and practices to assure valid medical advice concerning the health effects of air travel;
the feasibility of collection and dissemination by the aviation industry, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other private or governmental organization of a data base of medical statistics and environmental factors relating to air travel, including but not limited to, maintenance and operation records and procedures of aircraft, in an effort to assess the adequacy of aircraft systems, design, regulations, standards and practices relating to airline cabin air quality from the stand-point of health and safety, and for the purpose of issuing Federal Aviation Administration administrative advisory circu-lars and airworthiness directive regulations to correct any deficiencies disclosed;
the adequacy of current preflight and inflight health and safety instructions for air travelers that relate to airline cabin air quality, including but not limited to, life safety procedures during inflight fire, smoke, and toxic fume emergencies; and
a comparison of foreign industry practices, regulations, and standards.
In conducting the study, special care shall be taken to assure that all existing studies, recommendations, data, and state of the art technology relevant to the health and safety aspects of airline cabin air quality are considered.
In conducting the study, the National Academy of Sciences shall consult with and solicit the views of academic experts, representatives of airline labor, the aviation industry and independent experts and organizations.
The study shall include such recommendations for legislative, regulatory, and industry changes as the National Academy of Sciences determines to be advisable for promotion of health and safety in relation to airline cabin air quality.
Sec. 2.
The Secretary of Transportation shall submit a copy of the study, as it was prepared by the National Academy of Sciences, to the Congress within eighteen months after the date of enactment of this Act. At such time the Secretary shall also set forth such comments on the matters covered by the study and such recommendations for legislative, regulatory, and industry changes as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
Sec. 3.
There is authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $500,000 for the fiscal year commencing October 1, 1984, to carry out the study authorized by this Act. Such funds shall remain available for obligation until expended.
Approved October 11, 1984.