Sampling of the water used for hand washing in airplane lavatories (in-flight water) was conducted on passenger flights between Narita International Airport (NRT) in the suburbs of Tokyo, Japan, and Changi International Airport (SIN) in Singapore from August 22, 2009 to July 29,  2010. These samples were analyzed for anion concentrations using ion chromatography (IC) and for stable nitrogen isotope ratios in the nitrate ion (NO3-) using GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results of these analyses indicate that in-flight water exhibits variations in stable isotope ratios and anion concentrations during flights. A very low isotopic ratio of d(delta) 15N/14N = �368 [per ml] was measured for the in-flight water on an aircraft flying over thunder clouds on November 15,  2009, at 10� North offshore of Luzon Island in the Philippines. If the extremely low stable nitrogen Isotope ratio at �368.531 measured on November 15, 2009, at 10� North is excluded, a rough trend consisting of the highest stable nitrogen isotope ratios at nearly the same altitude was observed at neighboring positions of declination. The concentration of the NO3- ion was highly variable in the sampled in-flight water during flight. The following nuclear chemical reaction is well known.1n+14N=>14C+1HIf this nuclear chemical reaction occurred, the nitrate ion (NO3-) was converted to carbonate ion (CO32-). Hence, the carbon in the product CO32- would be carbon-14, a radioisotope. The passengers and crew members on flights may use in-flight water for hand washing, gargling with mouth wash and as drinking water. Internal exposure to radiation in the form of carbon-14 for these individuals is more likely..

Variations in stable isotope ratios and anion concentrations of in-flight water

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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