Airlines will spray an Insecticide while in the air

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http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/destinations/disinsection.html Aircraft DisinsectionAircraft disinsection is the spraying of an aircraft to prevent the importation of insects (i.e. mosquitoes) potentially carrying disease(s), such as malaria or dengue fever.Disinsection of Air Canada aircraft is done in compliance with the requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civic Aviation Organization. Transport Canada also requires all Canadian air carriers to comply with the disinsection requirements of all countries to which they fly.Failure to carry out disinsection may result in disembarkation being refused and remedial disinsection treatment being undertaken on the ground by local health authorities.Air Canadas Disinsection PolicySpraying is carried out on the following routes, and with the noted exceptions. These are also subject to change, and may change seasonally:Destination AirportExceptions/Clarifications, if anyAruba, Australia, Barbados, Cuba, Grand Cayman, India, JamaicaNonePuerto Rico, St-Lucia, Trinidad & TobagoSpraying only required if flight transits at another destination before arrivalBuenos AiresIf flight originates from Chile, it is sprayed. If flight originates from Toronto, it is not sprayed.Disinsection is carried out year round, and passengers are notified of the procedure via an on-board announcement prior to spraying of the cabin. This gives passengers the opportunity to cover their eyes and noses if they wish. The spray dissipates from the cabin and aircraft in a few minutes.There are three commonly-used methods of aircraft disinsection. The following table displays which products are used and on which routes, as well as briefly defining each disinsection method itself:DestinationProduct UsedMethod & ExplanationAustralia onlyCallington Haven Airez™Residual method:Internal surfaces of the aircraft, excluding food preparation areas, are regularly sprayed with an insecticide, ensuring that if an insect gains access to the aircraft and lands on a surface, it will receive an effective dose of insecticide. This method remains effective for eight weeks and does not expose crews or passengers to aerosol sprays.Australia onlyCallington Haven Top of Descent Aircraft Insecticide™On Arrival method:Despite the spray’s name, this method takes place before passengers have disembarked and the doors have been opened. Crew walk through the cabins discharging approved single-shot aerosols in the prescribed dosage.All other destinations listed abovePSA Aircraft Insecticide™Top of Descent method:This method is similar to the “On Arrival method”, except that it is carried out at the top of the aircraft’s descent, just before it starts preparations for landing.The content of the spray used by Air Canada is designated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and contains either 2% Permethrin or 2% d-Phenothrin. The remainder of the spray consists of HFA 134A as a propellant. The solvent and propellant currently in use are designed to be non-ozone depleting.Note: A WHO expert committee on the safe use of pesticides has agreed there is no evidence that these insecticides present any toxic hazard to the passengers or crew, provided the correct procedures are followed. The Human Resources Development Canada Report “Comparative Toxicity of Permethrin and d-phenothrin with Pyrethrum” found similar results.Passenger / Public Complaints or Handling:Onboard: by operating crewOr write:Customer SolutionsP.O. Box 64239,5512-4th St. N.W.,Calgary, AB,T2K 6J0Fax: 1-866-584-0380Online information:Customer Solutions