B737 MAX Flight Attendant reported a fume event during flight which resulted in the forward FAs experiencing physiological symptoms. At destination the aircraft was deemed 'unsafe' and the crew did not take it on next flight.

2022-09 · NASA ASRS report 1935784

Date: 2022-09 · Aircraft: B737 MAX Series Undifferentiated · Phase: climb

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-less-severe|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|flight-deck-cabin-aircraft-event-smoke-fire-fumes-odor

Synopsis

B737 MAX Flight Attendant reported a fume event during flight which resulted in the forward FAs experiencing physiological symptoms. At destination the aircraft was deemed 'unsafe' and the crew did not take it on next flight.

Narrative

Boarded aircraft in ZZZ and noticed an odor. Informed FA-D (Flight Attendant) and asked them if they smelled it too. We both thought it was a balsamic vinegar smell but chalked it up to just the groomers garbage bag being in the forward galley. After 10;000 got up to do drink and food orders; to which I started feeling light headed and disoriented. Not sure what it was but noticed I was off. CA (Captain) made an announcement regarding possible turbulence at which point my D came towards the front. I asked her if she felt weird. Described that I had been feeling off and she then stated having the same issues. Pushed through my First Class service but noticed feeling dizzy and faint when bending down and coming up grabbing trays for service. FA-B came up and checked out the situation and noticed the smell up front also. Stated it reminded her of floor glue/cleaner (or something along those lines) and that was an issue. I sat down after service and tried to get myself together. My head still hurt and dizziness was still there. The D noticed the same problems for herself. We notified the C and she decided to come up and check. Once she got up to the forward galley; she noticed she started getting light headed and dizzy too. Started getting a headache as well. So this is when I notified the CA of the situation. We then gave the pilots a break so they could check out the situation. During the first break; I went into the flight deck. The CA gave me oxygen from one of the mask. Discussed the problem and then let the FO (First Officer) back in. The next break; per CAs orders; I stood guard and my D went into the flight deck. She got oxygen while the CA and I tried to figure out what was wrong. He didn't smell anything so couldn't determine a source or problem. I decided to head to the aft galley and hopefully recoup. It helped a lot and I felt better back there. Ended up wearing a mask for descent and informed inflight Supervisors; CSAs (Customer Service Agents); Maintenance; and Pilots of the situation during deplaning. We were to take this same aircraft out to ZZZ1 however we deemed it unsafe. We believe it ultimately is a major issue with the garbage and a moldy smell or issue there. Since this only affected the First Class Galley. My recommendation is to change the MAX galley garbage can and configuration. The MAX new garbage location has caused some issues. The hole on the counter is now towards the back corner making it harder to use when throwing garbage away or scraping plates off. Then it has a recess bin creating space from where the bin is and the lid opening on top. Then when you pull the garbage bin out to scrape plates off; any garbage that was on top of the bin that didn't make it in; now gets pushed to the back of the cubby and no one notices or cleans back there. Thus creating a mold situation and an area that begins looking like it's a garbage dump. Very unsanitary and not safe at all. No one looks back there or ever really handles this situation. That's my suggestion.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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