Toxic Uniforms Present Health Hazard for Flight Attendants

AFA released a quick reference guide to secure safe uniforms, define the problem, and encourage airlines to take adequate steps to avoid the safety hazard. New uniforms are rolling out at major airlines next week and over the next few years.

“Uniforms are not just color, design, comfort and fit,” said AFA International President Sara Nelson. “Today, they have also become a fundamental workplace health and safety issue. No one should have to worry about becoming physically ill just from getting dressed for work, but that has happened and science confirms it. We need to put procedures in place to ensure it never happens again.”

This Quick Reference Video Guide on Safe Flight Attendant Uniforms covers the gamut of uniform issues, from style to sourcing for safety, health, and security.

Since September 2016, Flight Attendants at American Airlines Group, more than 3,000 of which are AFA members flying under the American Eagle brand, have been getting sick from toxic uniforms. AFA collected reports and conducted testing to define the problem, while working to achieve safe alternatives. New uniforms have been announced, but AFA continues to express concern to American that health hazards continue without an alternative while Flight Attendants wait years for replacement uniforms to be rolled out.

The health hazards posed by uniforms is a relatively new issue stemming from the rapid rise in purchasing uniforms made overseas. Twenty years ago, most Flight Attendant uniforms were made by fabrics produced in the United States. But trade agreements have changed that and moved production all over the world. Tracing the dangerous chemicals in the fabrics is extremely difficult without a process in place from the start to avoid this health hazard. Read more >