Department of Transportation Considers Banning Peanuts on All Flights in and Out of the US

As reported by CNN.com, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering banning peanuts from all flights to help protect people who have peanut allergies. There are three parts to this proposed ban:

-Banning peanuts and peanut products from all domestic and international flights as covered by the DOT disability rule

-Providing a peanut free zone on all flights where a passenger has provided documented medical evidence of a peanut allergy in advance or

-Banning all peanuts and peanut products on flights that have a passenger with a peanut allergy and that passenger has requested a peanut free flight in advance.

The peanut ban is just one part of a number of new passenger safety provisions being considered by the DOT. Currently, The Air Carrier Access Act (1986) classifies peanut allergies as a disability and some airlines (US Airways, Delta) do have peanut allergy accommodations. The above proposals would be extended to all airlines.

Can a peanut allergy be that bad?

According to the Mayo Clinic website, peanut allergies are quite common, especially in children. Some peanut allergy sufferers have mild symptoms like irritation, while others experience severe reactions called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction with the following symptoms:

Trouble breathing due to narrowing of bronchial tubes
Rapid pulse
Low blood pressure
Dizziness

Anaphylaxis is a life threatening situation requiring immediate medical attention that usually involves an injection of epinephrine to quickly open the bronchial tubes. People with severe peanut allergies may need to carry prescribed single dose epinephrine injections so they can be prepared in case of an anaphylactic reaction. What's more is that some people are so allergic to peanuts, they only need to be in their presence to have a reaction.

So can a peanut allergy be that bad? Absolutely. Imagine experiencing the above symptoms while on an airplane!

Do I have a peanut allergy?

If you have ever had a negative or odd reaction after eating or being exposed to peanuts, see your doctor so a determination can be made if peanuts were the cause. Tell the doctor when you were exposed to peanuts, what your reactions were, how soon after exposure did symptoms occur, and if you ate peanuts or were merely in the presence of a peanut product.

I have a peanut allergy and I need to fly somewhere

This could be tricky right now since only a few airlines make formal accommodations for people with verifiable peanut allergies. The key is to have documented medical evidence of your peanut allergy and tell the airline when booking your flight about your disability. Do NOT wait till the day you board the plane to inform the attendants of your needs. They may not be able to accommodate you and you may get bumped off the flight. If you have prescribed epinephrine injects for your peanut allergy, make sure they are with you for your flight.

Sources:

Anaphylaxis, Mayoclinic.com, September 5, 2008

Peanut Allergy, Mayoclinic.com, April 23, 2010

Landau, Elizabeth Peanuts may be banned on planes CNN.com June 2, 2010