DOT considering peanut ban on flights

[ScottSwing]

People with peanut allergies should die off. We already have too many people on planet earth anyway, and its a stupid allergy. The human race uses peanuts as a staple. People who cant handle something thats standard for humanity cannot be allowed to roam freely.

Whats next? Water allergy? We gotta weed out the incredible weaklings.

If you really want to give in to Darwinism, we should kill everyone who eats peanuts, because only poor people eat plain nuts. They're the ones with the inferior genes.

 

[paulney]

That's what you get when an entire nation gorges on peanutbutter as soon as they old enough to chew.

Fvcking peanutbutter everywhere - this is insane. No wonder every other person is allergic to peanuts.

 

[techforums]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZF1SJW7JFw

 

[Patranus]

They should ban babies before they ban peanuts.

 

[grrl]

A couple of people have asked how common reactions on planes are. I did a couple of searches and there doesn't seem to be much information - even the DOT is asking people to send in their own reports. For what it's worth, estimates are about 1.1% of Americans are allergic to peanuts (the Brits say 1.3% of their population) and the 1999 abstract below reports "Sixty-two of 3704 National Registry of Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy participants indicated a reaction on an airplane" - which comes out to 1.6%:

>>Volume 104, Issue 1, Pages 186-189 (July 1999)

Self-reported allergic reactions to peanut on commercial airliners

Scott H. Sicherer, MD a, Terence J. Furlong, MS b, Jennifer DeSimone, b, Hugh A. Sampson, MD
Received 21 January 1999; received in revised form 22 February 1999; accepted 23 February 1999.

Abstract

Background: Allergic reactions to food occurring on commercial airlines have not been systematically characterized. Objective: We sought to describe the clinical characteristics of allergic reactions to peanuts on airplanes. Methods: Participants in the National Registry of Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy who indicated an allergic reaction while on a commercial airliner were interviewed by telephone. Results: Sixty-two of 3704 National Registry of Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy participants indicated a reaction on an airplane; 42 of 48 patients or parental surrogates contacted confirmed the reaction began on the airplane (median age of affected subject, 2 years; range, 6 months to 50 years). Of these, 35 reacted to peanuts (4 were uncertain of exposure) and 7 to tree nuts, although 3 of these 7 reacted to substances that may have also contained peanut. Exposures occurred by ingestion (20 subjects), skin contact (8 subjects), and inhalation (14 subjects). Reactions generally occurred within 10 minutes of exposure (32 of 42 subjects), and reaction severity correlated with exposure route (ingestion > inhalation > skin). The causal food was generally served by the airline (37 of 42 subjects). Medications were given in flight to 19 patients (epinephrine to 5) and to an additional 14 at landing/gate return (including epinephrine to 1 and intravenous medication to 2), totaling 79% treated. Flight crews were notified in 33% of reactions. During inhalation reactions as a result of peanut allergy, greater than 25 passengers were estimated to be eating peanuts at the time of the reaction. Initial symptoms generally involved the upper airway, with progression to the skin or further lower respiratory reactions (no gastrointestinal symptoms). Conclusions: Allergic reactions to peanuts and tree nuts caused by accidental ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation occur during commercial flights, but airline personnel are usually not notified. Reactions can be severe, requiring medications, including epinephrine. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:186-9.)<<

http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(99)70133-8/abstract

 

[moshquerade]

Guy I used to work with had an allergy to peanuts. He almost died once b/c he had eaten out in a restaurant and even though he specified to them he could have nothing with peanuts in it they still served him some pork with a coating that contained trace amounts of peanuts bits.

So, if they ban peanuts on all flights because this could happen to allergic people I am for that.

Thing is though a simple EpiPen stops their anaphylaxis. Hopefully everyone with a peanut allergy carries one at all times. They are life savers.

EpiPen in action:

 

[BoomerD]

Wait a minute... aren't you a disgusting fatty? When are they going to ban fat fucks like you from planes? The sooner the better, right fatty?

Nah, as long as you skinny people leave half the seat...I'm fine. Don't like sharing with me? Too fucking bad. Besides...fat people have money.

BTW, do you fuck female sheep, or blow the male ones? I have a hard time telling you and Gayner apart.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

BTW, do you fuck female sheep, or blow the male ones? I have a hard time telling you and Gayner apart.

How long you been saving that one up, fatty?

 

[Bignate603]

Guy I used to work with had an allergy to peanuts. He almost died once b/c he had eaten out in a restaurant and even though he specified to them he could have nothing with peanuts in it they still served him some pork with a coating that contained trace amounts of peanuts bits.

So, if they ban peanuts on all flights because this could happen to allergic people I am for that.

Thing is though a simple EpiPen stops their anaphylaxis. Hopefully everyone with a peanut allergy carries one at all times. They are life savers.

EpiPen in action:

As multiple people have stated, epinephrine doesn't necessarily stop a reaction. On some people with milder allergies or when they've been exposed to smaller amounts it gives their body time to clear out or break down the allergen. For higher amounts of allergen or people with more severe allergies the reaction will start up as soon as the epi-pen wears off. In general, my doctor says to assume that each epi-pen will work for about 30 minutes before you need to start worrying that the reaction will start back up.

To properly treat a case of full blown anaphylactic shock you need to use epinephrine to keep the airway open then at the very least use large doses of anti-histamines and often corticosteroids, such as prednisone. They usually give IV fluids and other medications to keep your heart and lungs working until the body can clear out whatever is causing the reaction.

If somebody has a reaction bad enough to require an epi-pen the plane almost assuredly will be grounded at the next safe opportunity. No airline will keep on going and open themselves up to a lawsuit because somebody died on their flight because they didn't want to stop.

 

[BoomerD]

How long you been saving that one up, fatty?

What's that? Can't hear you through the wool in your mouth...

 

[moshquerade]

Epipens aren't always enough to stop an anaphylaxic reaction, many times they don't even buy the time necessary to get to an ED.

Really... I wasn't aware of this. Do you have an article showing their fail rate? I am just curious.

 

[preCRT]

Really... I wasn't aware of this. Do you have an article showing their fail rate? I am just curious.

This was known at the EDs I worked for years, for both children & adults. I was always told to carry 2 Epipens and still make sure I could get to an ED in minutes.

Without doing much of a search, this was in the April 2010 issue of Pediatrics:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62L2VL20100322

Food-allergic kids should carry two 'epi' doses
Mon, Mar 22 2010

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children with a history of food-induced allergic reactions may need more than one shot of epinephrine to halt a severe reaction, a study has confirmed.

Among a group of children treated for food-related "anaphylactic" reactions over 6 years, 12 percent needed a second epinephrine dose, according to a report out today in the journal Pediatrics. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that develops quickly, within seconds or minutes of exposure, causing potentially life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing.

Prior studies found similar results. One found that nearly one in five severe food-induced allergic reactions will require more than one epinephrine shots.

Taken together, these studies add weight to the recommendation that children at risk for severe food-related allergic reactions carry two doses of epinephrine, note Dr. Susan A. Rudders of Children's Hospital Boston and colleagues....

 

[shortylickens]

That's what you get when an entire nation gorges on peanutbutter as soon as they old enough to chew.

Fvcking peanutbutter everywhere - this is insane. No wonder every other person is allergic to peanuts.

I'll have to assume you are being deliciously sarcastic.

 

[marvdmartian]

They should just serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. No peanut dust!! :awe:

 

[SoCalAznGuy]

Shelfish allergy can be just as bad as penut allergies. Infact Shelfish accounts for more deaths from allergic reaction then penuts or tree nuts. Where does it stop? Should planes not have lobster, crab, or shrimp.

 

[grrl]

Shelfish allergy can be just as bad as penut allergies. Infact Shelfish accounts for more deaths from allergic reaction then penuts or tree nuts. Where does it stop? Should planes not have lobster, crab, or shrimp.

My understanding is shellfish don't pose a threat to others - you have eat them for a reaction to occur, unlike peanuts which can spread the allergins through the air.

 

[CRXican]

smuggle nuts

throw at passengers

 

[Bignate603]

The internet tough guy act gets really old. There's so many people here acting like their cheap lousy peanuts are worth putting a person in the hospital.

Honestly, the peanuts are pretty bad and I wouldn't mind if they had to switch to some other kind of snack.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Just eat something else you fat fucks.

Imagine a flight full of fat Americans deprived of food for a few hours. Then imagine that on this flight is a tasty looking boy from New Zealand. Now imagine what happens in your typical zombie movie.

 

[Dumac]

My understanding is shellfish don't pose a threat to others - you have eat them for a reaction to occur, unlike peanuts which can spread the allergins through the air.

This was my understanding. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Nah, as long as you skinny people leave half the seat...I'm fine. Don't like sharing with me? Too fucking bad. Besides...fat people have money.

BTW, do you fuck female sheep, or blow the male ones? I have a hard time telling you and Gayner apart.

Wait a minute... aren't you a disgusting fatty? When are they going to ban fat fucks like you from planes? The sooner the better, right fatty?

Play nice, guys.

 

[pcgeek11]

I just do not get all the over reactions here.

They have been serving peanuts for a very long time on planes. Now all of a sudden it is a major problem.

Try and find a verified case of someone getting exposed to peanuts and causing the plane to be diverted.

Or

A case where someone has died because of peanuts.

I've looked and cannot find a single verified instance of peanuts causing any Airborne problems on planes. I say peanut dust theory is all bogus. If you can locate one send me a link. Even though I feel it should be a great number more than one to be a problem.

 

[nsafreak]

I just do not get all the over reactions here.

They have been serving peanuts for a very long time on planes. Now all of a sudden it is a major problem.

Try and find a verified case of someone getting exposed to peanuts and causing the plane to be diverted.

Or

A case where someone has died because of peanuts.

I've looked and cannot find a single verified instance of peanuts causing any Airborne problems on planes. I say peanut dust theory is all bogus. If you can locate one send me a link. Even though I feel it should be a great number more than one to be a problem.

I can't confirm it for you but I would say that it is at least probable. I have a peanut allergy although its not so severe that I'll start having problems if its in the air. However I can tell if it is in the air somewhere around me. Generally if anybody eats peanuts within 40 feet of me I can smell it in the air and it'll make my throat a bit sore. However its also been mentioned that serving peanuts on airflights has been going on for many years and nobody has found any documented incidents where planes have either had to divert to make an emergency landing or had a passenger die onboard due to their allergy. What this may very well be is that folks with peanut allergens have finally gotten to the point where they simply are not comfortable flying commercial flights due to the number of people eating peanuts onboard. I haven't flown in a long time but I'm reasonably certain that while the flight wouldn't kill me I would likely be uncomfortable the whole flight. So what's the airline to do? Ban what is pretty much a staple of "airline food" such as it is or come up with another solution? Who knows, but I'm guessing that they'll likely ban the peanuts just to avoid any potential litigation.

 

[pcgeek11]

My wife is allergic to wool. So are they going to ban wool sweaters on airlines next... WTF.

Is it me or does it seem that people in general have 1000's more allergies than they did in the olden days.. ( I am 55 BTW ) and I never remember of hearing of anyone allergic to peanuts when I was growing up. Makes me wonder.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Try and find a verified case of someone getting exposed to peanuts and causing the plane to be diverted.

Why do we always wait for bad things to happen before we do something? We can foresee a problem, why not just eliminate it now instead of waiting for either someone to die or a plane full of people to be inconvenienced?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

My wife is allergic to wool. So are they going to ban wool sweaters on airlines next... WTF.

Is it me or does it seem that people in general have 1000's more allergies than they did in the olden days.. ( I am 55 BTW ) and I never remember of hearing of anyone allergic to peanuts when I was growing up. Makes me wonder.