问答题ssage 2　　Many people who fly at least occasionally have come down 1 a cold or the flu shortly after disembarking. Is the air in airborne commercial jets unhealthy?　　The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), by which 42,000 flight attendants with 2

ssage 2　　Many people who fly at least occasionally have come down  1 a cold or the flu shortly after disembarking. Is the air in airborne commercial jets unhealthy?　　The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), by which 42,000 flight attendants with 27 airlines  2  represented, evidently thinks so. The organization claims that the incidence of air-quality-related diseases has increased among its members and, demands that prompt actions be  3  to improve the conditions in the airplane cabin.　　A study the AFA undertook in 1997 uncovered about 1000 self-reported incidents of headaches, dizziness and memory loss  4  flight attendants and passengers. Some flight attendants were  5  ill to perform their safety duties, while  6  have been permanently disabled.  7 of airlines’ efforts to cut their expenses, cabin air filters are not cleaned regularly. The complaints of flight attendants do not always give  8  to correct maintenance. Airlines turned to recycled air, convinced that they would reduce some of their costs. They are  9  required to put filters in. Airlines are  10  great pressure to get their flights out on time So they do not  11  as much attention to systems that are not as critical to flight schedule and safety. Recent research findings emphasize the concern that filters can introduce engine chemicals  12  the cabin air. This may not happen  13 every flight, but it is a persistent problem.　　In a study published in October 1998, an investigation was made on complaints of crew members concerning  14  quality and health. More than half of the 200 subjects reported health problems which they attributed to cabin air. It was concluded that these health problems were consistent with exposure  15  harmful gases and substances.