Narrative:

We boarded the plane before passengers boarded. I stopped at the first set of overhead bins to check the equipment. Then I walked to row 6 to check additional equipment. As I stood at row 6; I began to smell a strong odor. It didn't last very long; and quickly dissipated. So; I said to the 'a' flight attendant; 'what was that smell?' at the same time; she was asking the pilots if they noticed the smell. She said that it smelled like burnt oil. As I proceed to walk towards the back of the plane; I noticed that the smell was getting stronger. As I was walked back; the 'C' flight attendant walked towards me. I said to her; 'what is that smell?' she answered; 'dirty socks. It smells like dirty socks; and I know that smell; it is bad air quality. I had an issue like this when I first started working for [company]. I am getting off of this plane; and so should you.' I told her that I had to put my bags away first; and then I would follow. As I stood in the back of the aircraft putting my bags away; the smell made my stomach queasy and I began to feel light headed. So; I quickly walked to the front of the plane to get off.before getting off; I witnessed the 'C' flight attendant talking to the captain; telling him the same 'dirty socks' incident she shared with me. I can't remember if he went to the back to smell the odor; but I do remember him stating that he would call and request the cleaners to come back to spray something to help the smell. Then; the 'C' flight attendant and I proceed to step out into the jet way to get some 'fresher air.' we only stood in the jetway about five minutes and then she and I returned to the plane to start passenger boarding. I and the 'a' flight attendant stood in the front of the plane; and the 'C' in the aft of the plane.I stood at the L1 door greeting passengers and about a third of the way into the boarding process; a maintenance man came onto the aircraft. I am not sure if he came onto the aircraft to check the air quality. Next; a cleaning lady came on and as the captain suggested; we sent her to the back to take care of the odor.' she told me she checked the lavs and there was not a problem and she left.about half way into the boarding process; a ZZZ supervisor boarded and informed us that he had received a call regarding air quality. He said that he called maintenance to come as well. I informed him that maintenance had already been on the plane and the captain requested cleaners as well. He said because there was a second call; maintenance would come out again. Because the odor was coming from the back; I suggested that he talk to the 'C' flight attendant in the aft of the plane regarding the issue. So; he followed the boarding passengers to the back to talk to the 'C' flight attendant. The boarding process was almost finished; so I to walk toward the aft of the plane to start closing bins and brief the exit rows. ZZZ supervisor was going to the front of the aircraft. By the time I got to the back of the plane; my symptoms began to worsen. Now; I was feeling pressure in the back of my head and neck; in addition to feeling 'foggy' (not being able to think clearly); and my stomach was even more queasy. I told the 'C' flight and she suggested that I go to the front to talk to ZZZ supervisor. She told me that she had informed him that I was not feeling well. So; I walked to the front of the aircraft to talk to the supervisor. I informed ZZZ supervisor that I was not feeling well and I wanted to get off of the plane. He said; 'ok; I will call crew scheduling to send a replacement for you.' I said; 'wait can I just have five minutes; and then I will let you know if I want to get off or not.' he said; 'let me see how much time we have.' then he went into the flight deck to talk to the captain. He returned; and said; 'okay we have a few minutes; maintenance is here.' I said; 'are they here because of the air quality? He said no. They are here for a fan belt. I believe those were his words. As I stood in front of the L1 doorway; feeling sick to my stomach; and foggy in the head; trying to get 'fresh air' I asked ZZZ supervisor to call crew scheduling. I told him I would make the decision when the replacement got to the plane. I was not thinking clearly. I could not even make the decision to stay on the plane; or to get off the plane even though I was clearly not feeling well.after talking to ZZZ supervisor; I went to the back of the plane again to wait for my replacement. I informed the 'C' flight attendant that I was getting off the flight and at that time she told me that she was not feeling well either. She wanted to get off too. So; she went to the front to talk to ZZZ supervisor. I stayed at the back of the aircraft. She returned shortly after speaking to ZZZ supervisor and as she made it to the back of the aircraft; we received a phone call telling us to get off the plane immediately and paramedics would be waiting outside. So; we made our way through the deplaning passengers and we met ZZZ supervisor in first class. He asked us to get off the plane. We did so reluctantly because there were passengers still on the plane. He said don't worry about that we will handle it. He said; you need to get off now.after we got off the plane; paramedics met us in the jet way. They asked us how we felt and about our symptoms. [Both of our] oxygen levels were checked. They told us that there was not much they could do. They had no equipment to test us for co exposure. They asked if we wanted to go to the hospital in an ambulance. We declined and said we would take a ride to the hospital and ZZZ supervisor offered to follow us there. None of us were thinking clearly. We should have gone to the hospital immediately (we did not receive medical attention until almost four hours later).after we left the paramedics; ZZZ supervisor instructed us to contact [medical company] to get the paperwork started for us to get medical attention. After the case worker received my information; she informed me that I would receive a call or an email within an hour. I was never given my case number; and I did not receive a call or an email. After two hours; [coworker] called [medical company] and we all finally received the necessary information to go to the hospital via email. We arrived at the hospital; and we were admitted seen by a physician. Blood was drawn urine samples taken; and we were given oxygen. After about an hour the doctor came back with the test results. My co level was 3.9. We were released; and instructed to drink lots of liquids; and get lots of fresh air.after I was discharged; we sat in the waiting room waiting for a ride back to the airport to go home. I began to feel light-headed and foggy again. So; I went back to talk to the nurse. I told her that I was not feeling well again. And I asked if I could have a bit more oxygen. She allowed me to sit with the oxygen for 10 more minutes; but she informed me that if I did not feel better after the 10 minutes; she would have to readmit me to the hospital to find the reason why I was not feeling better. After the 10 minutes of extra oxygen; I felt better. But I decided to stay a night at a hotel; instead of going home. The nurse instructed me to get rest and call for help at the hotel if I should have any more problems. I stayed a night at a hotel; and I took an early flight home the next day. This was a terrible ordeal that could have been avoided. The pilots did not take us seriously!

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Flight attendants reported noxious odor throughout the passenger cabin during preflight. Passengers deplaned and flight attendants received medical treatment for physiological symptoms.

Narrative: We boarded the plane before passengers boarded. I stopped at the first set of overhead bins to check the equipment. Then I walked to row 6 to check additional equipment. As I stood at row 6; I began to smell a strong odor. It didn't last very long; and quickly dissipated. So; I said to the 'A' Flight Attendant; 'What was that smell?' At the same time; she was asking the pilots if they noticed the smell. She said that it smelled like burnt oil. As I proceed to walk towards the back of the plane; I noticed that the smell was getting stronger. As I was walked back; the 'C' Flight Attendant walked towards me. I said to her; 'What is that smell?' She answered; 'Dirty socks. It smells like dirty socks; and I know that smell; it is bad air quality. I had an issue like this when I first started working for [Company]. I am getting off of this plane; and so should you.' I told her that I had to put my bags away first; and then I would follow. As I stood in the back of the aircraft putting my bags away; the smell made my stomach queasy and I began to feel light headed. So; I quickly walked to the front of the plane to get off.Before getting off; I witnessed the 'C' Flight Attendant talking to the Captain; telling him the same 'dirty socks' incident she shared with me. I can't remember if he went to the back to smell the odor; but I do remember him stating that he would call and request the cleaners to come back to spray something to help the smell. Then; the 'C' Flight Attendant and I proceed to step out into the jet way to get some 'fresher air.' We only stood in the jetway about five minutes and then she and I returned to the plane to start passenger boarding. I and the 'A' Flight Attendant stood in the front of the plane; and the 'C' in the aft of the plane.I stood at the L1 door greeting passengers and about a third of the way into the boarding process; a Maintenance man came onto the aircraft. I am not sure if he came onto the aircraft to check the air quality. Next; a cleaning lady came on and as the Captain suggested; we sent her to the back to take care of the odor.' She told me she checked the lavs and there was not a problem and she left.About half way into the boarding process; a ZZZ Supervisor boarded and informed us that he had received a call regarding air quality. He said that he called Maintenance to come as well. I informed him that Maintenance had already been on the plane and the Captain requested cleaners as well. He said because there was a second call; Maintenance would come out again. Because the odor was coming from the back; I suggested that he talk to the 'C' Flight attendant in the aft of the plane regarding the issue. So; he followed the boarding passengers to the back to talk to the 'C' Flight Attendant. The boarding process was almost finished; so I to walk toward the aft of the plane to start closing bins and brief the exit rows. ZZZ Supervisor was going to the front of the aircraft. By the time I got to the back of the plane; my symptoms began to worsen. Now; I was feeling pressure in the back of my head and neck; in addition to feeling 'foggy' (not being able to think clearly); and my stomach was even more queasy. I told the 'C' Flight and she suggested that I go to the front to talk to ZZZ Supervisor. She told me that she had informed him that I was not feeling well. So; I walked to the front of the aircraft to talk to the supervisor. I informed ZZZ Supervisor that I was not feeling well and I wanted to get off of the plane. He said; 'Ok; I will call Crew Scheduling to send a replacement for you.' I said; 'Wait can I just have five minutes; and then I will let you know if I want to get off or not.' He said; 'Let me see how much time we have.' Then he went into the flight deck to talk to the Captain. He returned; and said; 'Okay we have a few minutes; Maintenance is here.' I said; 'Are they here because of the air quality? He said no. They are here for a fan belt. I believe those were his words. As I stood in front of the L1 Doorway; feeling sick to my stomach; and foggy in the head; trying to get 'fresh air' I asked ZZZ Supervisor to call Crew Scheduling. I told him I would make the decision when the replacement got to the plane. I was not thinking clearly. I could not even make the decision to stay on the plane; or to get off the plane even though I was clearly not feeling well.After talking to ZZZ Supervisor; I went to the back of the plane again to wait for my replacement. I informed the 'C' Flight Attendant that I was getting off the flight and at that time she told me that she was not feeling well either. She wanted to get off too. So; she went to the front to talk to ZZZ Supervisor. I stayed at the back of the aircraft. She returned shortly after speaking to ZZZ Supervisor and as she made it to the back of the aircraft; we received a phone call telling us to get off the plane immediately and paramedics would be waiting outside. So; we made our way through the deplaning passengers and we met ZZZ Supervisor in first class. He asked us to get off the plane. We did so reluctantly because there were passengers still on the plane. He said don't worry about that we will handle it. He said; you need to get off now.After we got off the plane; paramedics met us in the jet way. They asked us how we felt and about our symptoms. [Both of our] oxygen levels were checked. They told us that there was not much they could do. They had no equipment to test us for CO exposure. They asked if we wanted to go to the hospital in an ambulance. We declined and said we would take a ride to the hospital and ZZZ Supervisor offered to follow us there. None of us were thinking clearly. We should have gone to the hospital immediately (we did not receive medical attention until almost four hours later).After we left the paramedics; ZZZ Supervisor instructed us to contact [medical company] to get the paperwork started for us to get medical attention. After the case worker received my information; she informed me that I would receive a call or an email within an hour. I was never given my case number; and I did not receive a call or an email. After two hours; [coworker] called [medical company] and we all finally received the necessary information to go to the hospital via email. We arrived at the hospital; and we were admitted seen by a physician. Blood was drawn urine samples taken; and we were given oxygen. After about an hour the doctor came back with the test results. My CO level was 3.9. We were released; and instructed to drink lots of liquids; and get lots of fresh air.After I was discharged; we sat in the waiting room waiting for a ride back to the airport to go home. I began to feel light-headed and foggy again. So; I went back to talk to the nurse. I told her that I was not feeling well again. And I asked if I could have a bit more oxygen. She allowed me to sit with the oxygen for 10 more minutes; but she informed me that if I did not feel better after the 10 minutes; she would have to readmit me to the hospital to find the reason why I was not feeling better. After the 10 minutes of extra oxygen; I felt better. But I decided to stay a night at a hotel; instead of going home. The nurse instructed me to get rest and call for help at the hotel if I should have any more problems. I stayed a night at a hotel; and I took an early flight home the next day. This was a terrible ordeal that could have been avoided. The pilots did not take us seriously!

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.