A recent study reveals that flight attendants and pilots face a higher risk of radiation-related cancers compared to individuals working with radioactive materials. Cosmic radiation originating from space, though minimal on Earth’s surface, significantly impacts individuals at high altitudes like aircrew members.
The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, analyzed over 12 million death certificates, focusing on cancer types associated with radiation exposure such as leukemia, lymphoma, and skin, thyroid, breast, prostate, and central nervous system cancers. Among over 500 professions, flight attendants had the highest mortality rates from radiation-related cancers, followed by pilots. The study indicates elevated risks for each specific radiation-related cancer type in these occupations.
The research challenges the assumption that excess skin cancer risk among flight crews is solely due to sunny layovers, suggesting cockpit environments as a significant factor. The study found that flight attendants had a 50% higher likelihood of dying from radiation-related cancers than the general workforce, with pilots having a 36% higher risk. Approximately 6.9% of flight attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths were attributed to radiation-related cancers, compared to 5% in the general working population.
While recognizing study limitations regarding exposure quantification and potential misclassification of occupations on death certificates, researchers emphasized the complexity of overlapping exposures like cosmic radiation, UV-A light, and circadian disruption. Additionally, the impact of disrupted circadian rhythms on cancer risk, exacerbated by jet lag and irregular work schedules, was highlighted.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s acknowledgement of aircrew radiation exposure lacks federal dose limits or monitoring requirements, posing concerns. An advocate for flight attendants stressed the need for increased awareness and responsibility regarding radiation exposure risks in aviation professions. The study suggests regular skin screenings for high-altitude workers and heightened vigilance for cancer among medical professionals caring for pilots and flight attendants.