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Health physics concerns in commercial aviation
1Division of Radiation Oncology, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
Health Physics
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Airline crews face significant cosmic radiation exposure, potentially nearing 10 mSv annually. Enhanced education and dosimetry are crucial for managing health risks, especially for pregnant crewmembers and frequent flyers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Radiation physics
- Aviation medicine
Background:
- Airline pilots and flight attendants experience occupational exposure to cosmic radiation.
- Uncertainty exists regarding appropriate radiation protection for aviation personnel.
- Recent calculations provide dose equivalents for typical flight routes and crew work patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant radiation doses received by airline crewmembers.
- To advocate for improved radiation safety measures in aviation.
- To inform about risks to pregnant crewmembers and frequent flyers.
Main Methods:
- Calculation of dose equivalents for common flight routes.
- Analysis of crewmember work patterns.
- Review of radiation exposure risks during solar proton events.
Main Results:
- Annual radiation doses for pilots and flight attendants can approach 10 mSv.
- Certain flight routes pose risks of exceeding fetal dose limits for pregnant crewmembers.
- Solar proton events can dramatically increase radiation doses, potentially exceeding monthly fetal limits.
Conclusions:
- Airline crewmembers require specific education on radiation health risks.
- Implementation of dosimetry systems is recommended for tracking crew doses.
- Enhanced warnings and action plans are needed for high-risk scenarios, including solar proton events.