Pilots and flight attendants face highest occupational risk of radiation-linked cancer deaths, study finds
A study of more than 12 million death certificates shows flight attendants and pilots have significantly higher odds of dying from cancers associated with cosmic radiation than other workers.
A new analysis of U.S. death records indicates that flight attendants and pilots have the highest occupational risk of dying from cancers linked to cosmic radiation, surpassing even workers who handle radioactive materials. The research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, examined over 12 million death certificates and identified deaths from radiation-related cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and cancers of the skin, breast, thyroid, prostate and central nervous system.
Among more than 500 occupations, flight attendants showed the greatest proportion of radiation-related cancer deaths, with pilots ranking second. The study estimated that flight attendants have about 50% higher odds and pilots about 36% higher odds of dying from these cancers compared with the general working population. In absolute terms, roughly 6.9% of flight attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths were attributed to radiation-linked cancers, versus 5% for other workers, according to Dr. Vishal Patel of Harvard Medical School.
The authors noted limitations, including the inability to measure individual radiation exposure levels and potential misclassification of occupations on death certificates. They also acknowledged that factors such as jet lag and irregular schedules could influence cancer risk.
"You can't manage an exposure you've decided not to measure," Patel said in an email.
The Federal Aviation Administration recognizes that aircrew are exposed to ionizing radiation but does not set dose limits or require monitoring. Union leader Sara Nelson, who heads the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said the findings underscore the need for better education and responsibility regarding radiation risks.
"The risk is known, but crew are not educated or informed. And, no one is taking responsibility," Nelson said.
Radiation experts suggested that regular skin examinations and earlier or more frequent mammograms for women in these roles may be warranted, and that physicians should maintain a heightened suspicion for cancer when treating aircrew members.