Toxic Jet Engine Fumes Linked to Illnesses on Airbus Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received thousands of reports since 2010 about toxic jet engine fumes leaking into airplane cockpits and cabins, according to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal. The incidents stem from a common aircraft design called “bleed air,” which channels air from the engines into the cabin for passengers and crew to breathe.

Reports of fume events are increasing sharply, particularly on Airbus A320-family aircraft widely used by major U.S. airlines. The Journal found that the A320 reports fume incidents at seven times the rate of the Boeing 737, which does not use the bleed-air system. JetBlue and Spirit Airlines—both with predominantly Airbus fleets—reported a combined 660 percent surge in fume incidents between 2016 and 2024.

Crew members and passengers describe the fumes as smelling like “wet dog” or “nail polish.” These events have led to emergency landings and in-flight illnesses, the Journal reported. Most fume events contain carbon monoxide and small amounts of neurotoxins. While exposure is typically mild, repeated or long-term exposure can cause more serious health effects.

For years, aircraft manufacturers and airline lobbying groups have downplayed the risks of inhaling engine fumes, according to the Journal. On its website, the FAA cites a 2015 review that found fume incidents on major U.S. airlines at a rate of “less than 33 events per million departures”—about 330 per year—but notes that actual numbers may be higher because reporting is not mandatory for crew members.

The airline industry has funded studies to dispute claims that fume leakage causes significant harm and has opposed legislation to strengthen safety measures. According to a deposition transcript obtained by the Journal of Boeing 737 chief product engineer Julie Brightwell, Congress has tried at least 19 times over two decades to pass laws addressing cabin fume contamination.

In 2024, Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced a bill to mandate onboard sensors and more thorough investigations. After industry pushback, the bill—signed into law last year—was watered down to require only research into fume leakage and improved incident reporting.

In August 2025, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) introduced new legislation to require passenger aircraft to install filters that would eliminate fume leakage within seven years. His office has not yet commented on the status of the bill, The Hill reported.

This growing controversy highlights the tension between safety advocates seeking stricter regulations and an airline industry reluctant to change longstanding designs. With more data emerging and legislators pressing for tighter rules, the issue of toxic jet engine fumes may become a defining passenger-safety debate over the next decade. 


Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=FAA, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, thehill.com