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Mortality among US commercial pilots and navigators
J S Nicholas1, D T Lackland, M Dosemeci
1Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Biometry and Epidemiology, Charleston 29425, USA.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|November 27, 1998
Summary
US pilots and navigators show increased mortality from kidney cancer and motor neuron disease. Further research is needed to link these health outcomes to specific occupational exposures in the airline industry.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Aviation Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The airline industry presents unique occupational health risks for flight crews.
- Exposure to environmental agents like cosmic radiation and electromagnetic fields, alongside circadian disruption and air travel conditions, are key concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mortality patterns among US commercial pilots and navigators.
- To identify specific cancer and non-cancer end points with altered mortality rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) to analyze cancer and non-cancer mortality.
- Calculated proportional cancer mortality ratios and mortality odds ratios for comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- Significantly increased mortality observed for kidney and renal pelvis cancer, motor neuron disease, and external causes.
- Suggested increased mortality for prostate, brain, and colon cancers, as well as lip, buccal cavity, and pharynx cancers.
- Significantly decreased mortality was noted for 11 causes.
Conclusions:
- US pilots and navigators exhibit distinct mortality profiles, with elevated risks for certain cancers and neurological conditions.
- Further investigation is required to individually quantify exposures (e.g., radiation, electromagnetic fields) and their synergistic effects.
- Linking specific occupational exposures to individual disease data is crucial for understanding these health outcomes.