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- Flight attendants and pilots have highest risk of dying from radiation-linked cancers, study says (apnews.com)
A new study reveals that flight attendants and pilots face the highest risk of dying from radiation-related cancers, exceeding even those who work directly with radioactive materials. Published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine, the research highlights the impact of cosmic radiation, which originates from space and intensifies with altitude, putting frequent flyers-particularly aircrew-at greater risk.
Analyzing national data from over 12 million death certificates covering more than 500 occupations, researchers focused on cancers linked to radiation exposure, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the skin, breast, thyroid, prostate, and central nervous system. Among these occupations, flight attendants exhibited the highest proportion of deaths from radiation-related cancers, with pilots ranking second. Both groups showed significantly elevated odds of dying from each type of these cancers compared to the general working population.
Importantly, neither pilots nor flight attendants had higher mortality rates from cancers unrelated to radiation, suggesting that occupational radiation exposure, rather than lifestyle or socioeconomic factors, is the primary cause of the increased risk. Flight attendants had approximately a 50% higher likelihood of dying from radiation-linked cancers, while pilots had about a 36% increase. In absolute terms, these cancers accounted for roughly 6.9% of flight attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths, compared to 5% among other workers.
The study’s authors acknowledged certain limitations, such as the inability to measure individual radiation exposure levels or fully account for other factors like disrupted circadian rhythms due to irregular schedules and frequent time zone changes, which may also elevate cancer risk.
While the Federal Aviation Administration recognizes that aircrews are exposed to ionizing radiation, it does not currently impose federal dose limits or mandate exposure monitoring. “You can’t manage an exposure you’ve decided not to measure,” said Dr. Vishal Patel of Harvard Medical School, the study’s lead author.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing 55,000 members, emphasized that the findings underscore the need for greater awareness and accountability. “The risk is known, but crew are not educated or informed. And, no one is taking responsibility,” she said.
Experts suggest that annual skin exams should be considered for all personnel working at high altitudes, and women in these roles might benefit from earlier or more frequent mammograms. Healthcare providers treating pilots and flight attendants are encouraged to maintain a heightened vigilance for cancer detection given the occupational risks.
This study contributes important new evidence to ongoing discussions about the health implications of frequent flying and the need for improved protections for aircrew members.