At the top of descent with the engines at idle; an entire B737-400 aircraft filled with toxic fumes ...

Narrative:

Toxic fumes on descent. Upon descent from TOD; engines at idle; fumes became strong and onset quickly. My first officer and I were discussing such when we were alerted by the 'a' flight attendant of toxic fumes in the passenger cabin. We ran the smoke and fumes checklist in the QRH; instructed the flight attendants to use protective breathing if possible; went to high flow on the packs; and expedited our arrival into our destination. Upon arrival; all crewmembers were affected; eyes; throat; nasal; and headaches. We called dispatch; maintenance; and communicated with the chief pilot's office. [We] went to a local hospital for toxic screening. Most conditions passed over the next four hours. I personally still have an elevated pulse; blood pressure; and headache. Apparently; an element known as T.C.P. Is the likely cause of the event. An element in the engine oil; vaporizing into the air conditioning system; this is not a new event. This aircraft has had previous similar events; one I believe as recent as just a few days. I am not a chemist; however; I believe there are solutions to the oil problem. More extensive maintenance and research on this would be a good place for more resources.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: At the top of descent with the engines at idle; an entire B737-400 aircraft filled with toxic fumes affecting the entire crew and requiring medical attention after landing. Tricresyl phosphate (TCP) was suspected.

Narrative: Toxic fumes on descent. Upon descent from TOD; engines at idle; fumes became strong and onset quickly. My First Officer and I were discussing such when we were alerted by the 'A' Flight Attendant of toxic fumes in the passenger cabin. We ran the SMOKE AND FUMES checklist in the QRH; instructed the flight attendants to use protective breathing if possible; went to high flow on the packs; and expedited our arrival into our destination. Upon arrival; all crewmembers were affected; eyes; throat; nasal; and headaches. We called Dispatch; Maintenance; and communicated with the Chief Pilot's office. [We] went to a local hospital for toxic screening. Most conditions passed over the next four hours. I personally still have an elevated pulse; blood pressure; and headache. Apparently; an element known as T.C.P. is the likely cause of the event. An element in the engine oil; vaporizing into the air conditioning system; this is not a new event. This aircraft has had previous similar events; one I believe as recent as just a few days. I am not a chemist; however; I believe there are solutions to the oil problem. More extensive maintenance and research on this would be a good place for more resources.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	994535
Time
Date	201202
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-400
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Air Conditioning and Pressurization Pack
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

At the top of descent with the engines at idle; an entire B737-400 aircraft filled with toxic fumes affecting the entire crew and requiring medical attention after landing. Tricresyl phosphate (tcp) was suspected.