Some airlines have stopped serving peanuts on planes due to allergy fears
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There is no strong evidence that people with peanut allergies are at risk of severe reactions from other people who consume peanuts and airborne allergens while on an airplane. The same is thought to apply to nuts and other foods that people are generally allergic to.
People with food allergies may experience symptoms such as rash, nausea, and shortness of breath after exposure to the allergen through eating, skin contact, or inhalation. In severe cases, this can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, which can cause throat swelling, dizziness, and more serious breathing difficulties.
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Some airlines have banned the sale of nuts on flights and their staff have made announcements asking passengers not to eat them if they know someone on board has an allergy.
To explore the evidence behind the inhalation risk, Paul Turner of Imperial College London and his colleagues focused on peanuts, reviewing the results of five studies.
One study looked for peanut particles in air samples during commercial flights where snacks were served. The researchers found none in nearly all the samples they collected. This is because these planes have filters that remove airborne peanut particles before they spread throughout the cabin, Turner said.
The exception is air samples collected directly around the tray table where peanuts are consumed, but these allergens are at such low levels that they may not be enough to cause an allergic reaction, Turner said.
Four other studies looked at airborne allergen levels when people ate or shelled nuts, either at home or in the laboratory. They also found very low levels of the allergen within about half a meter of someone shelling or eating the nuts. At best, this will cause a mild allergic reaction, such as watery eyes, Turner says.
But higher levels of the allergen were found in airplane seats, trays and floors in the first study. Wiping those surfaces would probably eliminate most of the risk, said Turner, whose team is working with British airlines to make flying safer for people with allergies.
The same results may apply to other allergens, such as nuts, seafood and other eggs, Turner said.
“This report summarizes what has been known for years, that it is unlikely that peanuts will become aerosolized and pose a risk to airborne passengers,” said Matthew Greenhawt of the University of Colorado.
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