Radiation exposure of aircrews

Information is provided about the radiation to which aircrews are exposed and possible health consequences. Recommended radiation exposure limits are given. Crewmembers on commercial aircraft are exposed to higher doses of ionizing radiation than normally received by members of the general population in most parts of the world. The principal ionizing radiation is galactic cosmic radiation. On infrequent occasions, radiation from the sun leads to an increase in the ionizing radiation at aircraft flight altitudes. Radioactive cargo is another possible source of exposure to ionizing radiation. Crewmembers are exposed to nonionizing radiation in the form of electric and magnetic fields generated by the aircraft s electronic and electrical systems. Other potential sources of nonionizing radiation exposure are microwave radiation from the aircraft's weather radar, laser radiation, and ultraviolet radiation.