Flight attendants and pilots face a higher risk of radiation-related cancers compared to those working with radioactive materials, as per a recent study. This increased risk is attributed to cosmic radiation, which is more prevalent at high altitudes where flight crews operate.
The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, analyzed data from over 12 million death certificates to examine cancer death rates associated with radiation exposure. Among more than 500 occupations studied, flight attendants had the highest percentage of deaths from radiation-related cancers, followed by pilots. The study highlighted elevated risks for various radiation-related cancers among flight crews.
The research challenges the belief that flight crews’ increased skin cancer risk stems from sun exposure during layovers. Instead, the study suggests that factors like cosmic ionizing radiation and disrupted circadian rhythms play significant roles in the heightened cancer risks faced by flight attendants and pilots.
Flight attendants were found to have a 50% higher likelihood of dying from radiation-related cancers compared to the general working population, while pilots had a 36% higher odds. About 6.9% of flight attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths were attributed to radiation-related cancers, emphasizing the substantial impact on these professions.
Despite some study limitations, such as the inability to quantify individual exposures, the findings underscore the need for heightened awareness and monitoring of radiation risks among flight crews. Recommendations include regular skin examinations and increased vigilance for cancer among individuals working in high-altitude environments.