Airborne peanut allergy risks on planes lower than feared
We have reported several times on situations where passengers with severe allergies requested that peanuts not be served during flights, fearing they might feel unwell. Experts conducted studies and evaluated whether the airborne smell actually poses a danger.
18 October 2024 09:37
The researchers concluded that the risk of an allergic reaction to airborne peanut allergens for individuals with peanut allergies may be lower than previously thought. Their detailed findings were published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Peanuts on aeroplanes
People with food allergies can experience rashes, nausea, and shortness of breath upon exposure to allergens through eating, skin contact, or even inhalation. In extreme cases, a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction can occur, accompanied by throat swelling, dizziness, and severe breathing difficulties.
Concerns about the safety of passengers allergic to peanuts have prompted some airlines to remove this snack from their in-flight offerings completely. In other instances, the aeroplane crew warns passengers about the presence of an allergic individual and asks them to refrain from consuming peanuts during the flight.
Can allergy sufferers feel safe?
Dr Paul Turner from Imperial College London and his team analysed the results of five studies on the spread of peanut allergens in public spaces, including aeroplanes. These studies did not provide strong evidence that individuals with allergies are seriously at risk of reactions due to airborne allergens that other passengers consuming peanuts might breathe in.
One of the studies examined the presence of peanut particles in air samples taken during a commercial flight where this snack was served. Almost all samples showed no presence of allergen particles from peanuts. "The message is that people shouldn't be worried about what food is being transmitted in the air when they fly. We didn’t find any evidence that nut particles could travel through the cabin ventilation system on airplanes and cause reactions," Dr Turner explained in the study.
The exception was higher allergens detected on aeroplane surfaces such as seats, trays, and floors. Dr Turner emphasises that simple actions like wiping down surfaces could reduce the risk. His team is working with British airlines to improve the safety of allergy passengers.
The researcher notes that the collected data may also be useful in analysing other food allergens, such as cashews, seafood, or eggs.
