A B777 Flight Attendant reported a hydraulic fluid leak near the 2L door which created fumes physically affecting the business class flight attendants. The Captain thought the door assist mechanism was at fault.

Narrative

Throughout most of the flight from the beginning; flight attendants working in business class were having eyes burning; nasal burning/problems; and throat burning coughing and I had taste of what I can only describe as 'fuel' in my mouth/tongue. Flight Attendant #7 discovered hydraulic fluid leaking from 2L door; later confirmed by First Officer and Captain. She wiped it away and it still kept leaking. I turned off the chillers in the business galley per the Captain and he said he changed something that would bring in more fresh air. As the flight went on; it got worse; Flight Attendant #7 had burning eyes that were visibly red; and sneezing; Flight Attendant #8 was sneezing and coughing a lot. Purser came back and could definitely smell it; First Officer and Captain said they were on call with Maintenance to try not to divert and fix problem. The fumes/smell seemed to lessen as we descended and got close to landing. I do not think that any passengers were aware of problem; but the passengers in first row of business started coughing and sneezing while this was going on. As we got closer to landing; the 2L door was still dripping hydraulic fluid; identified by Captain at a faster rate; but the reactions to it seem to lessen to a little degree for the 3 of us working in business class. The leak as definitely on 2L door; but during the worst of it 2R was just as bad if not worse. By the time we landed; the 2L door was still leaking hydraulic quite a bit. The Captain said he thought it was the automatic assist system that the door employs; but I do not know. Also at some points during this; I became a bit 'dizzy' feeling. First Officer and Captain came out and could definitely smell problem as soon as they came in area. I think that we should have diverted because who knows what the 3 of us in business class actually inhaled or in taken; but we landed without incident.