Flight attendants and pilots face the highest risk of succumbing to radiation-related cancers, surpassing individuals working directly with radioactive materials, as per a recent study. Cosmic radiation originates from outer space, with heightened exposure occurring at higher altitudes during air travel. Previous smaller studies hinted at elevated cancer mortality rates among frequent fliers, particularly pilots and flight attendants.
The new research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, analyzed national data from over 12 million death certificates, outlining occupational information. The study focused on cancer death rates associated with radiation exposure, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, as well as skin, breast, thyroid, prostate, and central nervous system cancers. Among more than 500 job categories, flight attendants exhibited the highest percentage of radiation-related cancer fatalities, followed closely by pilots.
Notably, neither group displayed elevated mortality rates from non-radiation-related cancers, reinforcing the belief that occupational radiation exposure is the primary factor underlying the observed excess deaths. The study challenges the notion that flight crew’s increased skin cancer risk stems from sunny layovers, suggesting instead that cockpit conditions may play a more significant role in cancer development.
Flight attendants were found to have a 50% higher likelihood of dying from radiation-related cancers compared to the general workforce, while pilots faced a 36% higher risk. The authors acknowledged limitations in the study, such as the inability to quantify specific exposure levels for each individual and potential misclassification of occupations on death certificates.
Furthermore, the research highlighted the challenge of disentangling various overlapping exposures like cosmic radiation, UV-A light, and circadian disruption. Cancer risk in these professions may be exacerbated by disruptions to the body’s internal clock due to jet lag and irregular schedules. The lack of federal dose limits or monitoring for aircrews’ radiation exposure was noted, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and precautions in high-altitude flight occupations.