March 2010 NewsReport

Allergic Living — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:26:09 +0000

By Gwen Smith

We’ve been getting a lot of e-mail at Allergic Living magazine from readers asking: what do you think about the Canadian Transportation Agency’s decision that Air Canada must accommodate peanut and tree nut allergies? Does it go far enough?

And then Air Canada responded to the CTA, and that brought more mail: What do you think of Air Canada’s response? Allow me to answer. When I look at the big picture – the news is so encouraging for those living with serious allergies. A major airline regulator has confirmed that, yes, there is a health and safety issue with potential contact with peanuts and nuts by allergic individuals in the confines of an airplane cabin. And the regulator has told Air Canada that precautions, including nut-free buffer zones, are required.

But there are shortcomings. As the CTA requested, Air Canada has replied to the agency. Rather than embrace the findings, the airline is offering the bare minimum to comply. How disappointing. Read more

Cat Allergy Ruling

The Canadian Transportation Agency has ruled that passengers with cat allergies have a disability when it comes to air travel. Now the agency has asked for a “thorough review” of Canadian airlines» policies concerning all pets.

View article

Hate Target

Tossed off a plane over a request not to serve peanuts, this woman is now getting hate mail at home.

Juliane’s story

These days, there’s plenty of allergen-free chocolate and candy for the Easter bunny to leave the kids on Easter morning. No doubt the adults in the family will also be tempted by the goodies on our list.

A week away in the woods without the watchful eye of a parent might seem implausible to many parents of allergic or asthmatic kids. But the good news is a growing number of camps are recognizing the importance of keeping kids safe, and have developed detailed procedures for managing food allergies and celiac disease or asthma. At AllergicLiving.com, we’ve compiled a detailed camp directory, including descriptions of camp policies, contact information, and proximity to emergency health care. more

One in three people

will develop asthma: study.

Food allergy restaurant law in

place by summer.

Anaphylaxis Canada

announces Toronto conference for May.

Gluten-free food

maker gives workers the company.

Controversy over FDA asthma

drug warning.

Flu shot appears

safe for egg-allergic.

Study to look at

asthma/allergy and school performance.

Mar. 20

Food allergy walk

with Kyle Dine,

Minneapolis. more

Mar. 21

Lung Assoc. Stair

Climb, Vancouver. more

Mar. 24

Insect allergy

info night, Toronto. more

Action Urged on Flying Pets

Janis Hass — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:40:23 +0000

Following the decision by Air Canada to join WestJet in allowing pets to travel in airplane cabins, The Lung Association has launched an online campaign calling on federal politicians to protect the health and safety of airline passengers and crew who may suffer from severe allergies to pet dander or have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Lung Association has also asked Air Canada and WestJet to compromise by designating some flights as pet-free. “We’re worried that profit is taking a front seat and public health is taking a back seat,” says Cameron Bishop, director of government affairs for The Lung Association. “We want to help Canadians to express their views on the issue of pet-free flights.”

A poll released by the association found that 80 per cent of Canadians want Canada’s airlines to offer pet-free flights. In addition, 75 per cent of Canadians believe that the federal government has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of passengers and crew.

Bishop hopes the campaign will convince Parliament to hold hearings this fall to review the public health ramifications of the airlines’ policies. “We, of course, recognize the need for service animals or guide dogs to be allowed on flights,” he adds. “We just request that passengers be alerted to their presence.”

The campaign has received the support of thousands of Canadians like Monica Peterson, who has asthma and a severe allergy to cats. She was flying on a WestJet flight from Winnipeg to Victoria last year when her eyes started watering and her airways became congested. “When the plane was unloading, it turned out a cat was under the seat in front of me. Luckily it was a short flight; it was alarming that there wasn’t even a warning that pets were on board.”

When Traveling with Asthma, Pet Allergies or COPD:

Check with the airline beforehand to try to get on a pet-free flight.
Take your medications regularly and follow your asthma action plan.
Use your rescue inhaler 20 minutes before boarding the plane.
Speak to your doctor before traveling. You may need medications adjusted for the flight.
Always have your medications with you – never keep them in checked baggage.

From the Fall 2009 issue of Allergic Living magazine.
To order that issue or to subscribe, click here.

Allergic Living » air canada and allergies

March 2010 NewsReport

Action Urged on Flying Pets