An A319 Captain reported passengers in rows 6; 7; and 8 complained about an acrid odor and later were dizzy; had headaches and skin rashes (hives). Eventually all flight attendants sought medical attention for the symptoms.

Narrative

In flight Arrival Phase; Flight Attendant reported two passengers from row 6 and row 8; ill; complained of air odor- acrid even upon boarding earlier. Each reported - dizziness; headache; skin rash or hives. I forwarded ACARS info to Dispatch [and] request Medical at gate; possible air quality issue report. Medical at gate confirmed illness. I debriefed the cabin crew and found a Flight Attendant experienced same symptoms also. I contacted my Dispatcher on my personal cell phone. I explained and reviewed situation with Dispatch that I would contact our contract medical service about symptoms for Flight Attendant and to review if it could be air quality related. Several minutes later the medical service confirmed symptoms by speaking directly with affected Flight Attendant. The medical service recommends Flight Attendant get check now by local doctor. Fifteen minutes later I called and informed Dispatch that Flight Attendant needed to be removed from duty. We reviewed options for our next scheduled revenue flight including maintenance for Air Quality Report. Status to be determined; but I made myself Captain and First Officer available for any flight option. A Contract Mechanic was in the flight deck speaking with Maintenance Control on his personal phone. That phone was passed to me as Maintenance requested info. I discussed difficulty of determining maintenance issue but that I felt it was important to write an AIR QUALITY REPORT FORM which includes a Maintenance Log Page request. At that time; I excused myself from that phone in order to get update about other medical issues; that is when the other Flight Attendants reported to me similar medical symptoms and to go as a group to doctor. Twelve minutes later I reported to Dispatch that all flight attendants are not available for next segment duty. I entered Air Quality report form into Maintenance Log Book. Aircraft routing to be determined by Maintenance and Dispatch; a long delay occurred; nearly an hour; I ate a personal sandwich on board aircraft; also went into terminal for personal break. Sitting on aircraft; an hour later I received a phone call from my Chief Pilot. Questions developed as to the circumstance of delay; I reviewed events with him. As I told my Dispatcher; I was waiting for further release to continue my next segment in any form of flying duty. I reaffirmed my ability to ferry the aircraft. The Maintenance Technician was in possession of the Logbook. About two and a half hours after our arrival my First Officer received a filed ferry flight plan. After maintenance procedures and dispatch release; flight crew departed on ferry flight. I witnessed symptoms of dizziness and progressive rash and hives on one Flight Attendant personally. I recognize from the Company; the importance of an air quality report listing an associated Logbook page. Air Quality is a very subjective review; I did my best to report accurately and timely; however; I sense a disparaging review by Maintenance Control; miscommunication from Dispatch to Maintenance Control and back. The total delay time seemed very unreasonable.