Air Carrier flight crew reported being notified by a Flight Attendant of an unruly passenger spraying an unknown aerosol spray on a row of seats during preflight. Customer Service Supervisor was summoned which resolved the spray issue resulting in a safe flight departure with no further issues.
Synopsis
Air Carrier flight crew reported being notified by a Flight Attendant of an unruly passenger spraying an unknown aerosol spray on a row of seats during preflight. Customer Service Supervisor was summoned which resolved the spray issue resulting in a safe flight departure with no further issues.
Narrative
Early in the boarding process; the B-Flight Attendant came forward a let me know there was a passenger who was cleaning a row of seats with an aerosol spray cleaner. In addition the passenger was verbally difficult when the matter was brought up with her. The Flight Attendant asked for a Customer Service Supervisor. I was able to locate one and requested that she speak with the B-Flight Attendant and the customer to ensure there was not going to be any issues airborne. I was not specific with her about the spray cleaner as I was more concerned that there would be a personality conflict. In addition; throughout this time I was managing two new MELs with Dispatch and Maintenance. Upon completion of that effort; I understood that the issues in back were resolved and we proceeded without incident. Later in the day I asked how the flight had gone with the passenger in question and while they handled the personality clash; no problem we reflected back upon the aerosol issue. It seemed the cleaner was still on the aircraft. I reviewed the FOM and the First Officer reviewed the Company manual. It appeared from that review that the item could have been considered a HAZMAT item that may have been required to be in the checked baggage; vice carry on. What was also noted was [that] there is the HAZMAT Hotline that would have been able to make the proper assessment of the item.
Second reporter narrative
F/A (Flight Attendant) called while we were dealing with deferring items. She said a passenger was spraying something all around; likely disinfectant. She asked her to stop and was nice about it; but the lady was being nasty and kept doing it. Passenger said she had no immune system and was within her right to do it. F/A pondered if the spray was a HAZMAT issue. I asked if it was Lysol; how big the can was... I received no specifics. Only that the passenger was spraying something. I said it shouldn't have made it through TSA if it was HAZMAT or too large. I figured it was just a 'toiletry' item; which is allowed. I told Captain about it and he called her back and discussed it with her. Passenger stopped spraying and I thought we had moved on; as we had additional MEL writeups that we discovered.On next leg; F/A called back and was rehashing it. I looked up the HAZMAT information in the Company Manual. I found the phone # for the Hazmat hotline. Without a lot more detailed information from the F/A; there was no way to know if it was a toiletry; or HAZMAT. The only way to determine it would be; was to call Hazmat hotline and ask them if a specific product would be legal. I don't know if the passenger would've let our F/A see the product to call it in; but that's the only way to have resolved it to the F/As satisfaction.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.