In recent days, there's been a lot of buzz about a mother and her daughter being removed from a plane because of the daughter's peanut allergy. Allegedly, the mother asked fellow passengers not to eat peanuts out of concern for her daughter's safety, but the crew didn't take kindly to this and asked them to leave the flight. The story has sparked a lively debate in the comments, with some backing the mother's stance and others criticizing it as unreasonable. But is the situation as straightforward as it seems?
Why do many airlines forbid eating peanuts on the plane?
This issue is indeed contentious. While we're uncertain about the specific airline involved in the incident, it's worth noting that some airlines implement a precautionary measure by prohibiting peanuts onboard. This precaution stems from concerns that individuals with severe peanut allergies may be at risk of inhaling nut particles, a topic that has received scientific attention in recent years. Although research generally suggests a minimal risk of nut inhalation, particularly if the nuts are located far from allergic individuals, some airlines prefer to err on the side of caution and restrict the sale and consumption of peanuts.
Peanut allergy is widespread, affecting millions of people, particularly children. Consequently, individuals with this allergy must be vigilant about their dietary choices. While peanut allergies are more prevalent in children than adults, in some cases, they may diminish with age.
Children often lack control over their dietary choices, which is why peanut avoidance is typically observed at events like birthday parties if any guests have allergies. But does this mean peanuts should be banned onboard flights if a passenger has an allergy?
In reality, prohibiting peanuts on flights doesn't guarantee that allergy sufferers won't consume them. Even young children, who are often accompanied by adults, may still inadvertently come into contact with peanuts. The issue arises because the proteins that trigger allergic reactions can become airborne and be inhaled.
In 2021, a group of Swedish scientists conducted a study to assess the potential risks of nut exposure through inhalation. They placed 84 children with peanut allergies in a room half a meter away from a bowl of peanuts for 30 minutes, monitoring for symptoms under controlled conditions. This exposure can trigger anxiety attacks due to the brain's association between smell and danger. While psychotherapy can address this, it's simpler to avoid consuming peanuts on the plane altogether.
While not consuming nuts during a flight won't lead to death, exposure to them, even through inhalation, can result in discomfort for allergy sufferers. This underscores the importance of the precautionary principle in such situations.