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Flight attendants and pilots bear the highest chance of dying of radiation related cancer out of over 500 examined careers in the U.S. As per a landmark Harvard University study.<\/strong><\/p>\n Published in JAMA Internal Medicine the study examined about 13 million U.S death certificates from 2020-2024 through the National Vital Statistics System. 14,000 pilots and 7,000 flight attendants\u2019 deaths were on this list.<\/p>\n The cause is the occupational exposure and a prolonged presence near ionizing cosmic radiation found in deep space and the sun which penetrates the atmosphere:<\/p>\n Exposure Amounts: Annual cosmic radiation exposure for airline crewmembers are in the range of 3 to 6 mSv or more.<\/p>\n Passenger Dose: By comparison a passenger taking 10 cross-country round trips over the course of a year would take in 0.4 mSv-meaning flight crewmembers are receiving between 8 to 15 times more radiation yearly than what an average passenger does, from our atmosphere.<\/p>\n Cumulative Dose: According to lead researcher Anupam B. Jena, M.D., Ph.D., the risk will accumulate the more time a pilot or flight attendant is employed.<\/p>\n Types of Cancers & Causes of Death to note<\/strong><\/p>\n The researchers focused mortality rates across specific radiation associated cancers, thoughlung cancer was not included in the study to normalize the influence of smoking.<\/p>\n Flight Attendant: Radiation associated cancer deaths 6.9% of total deaths. Statistically higher than background rate in terms of melanoma, CNS, prostate, and breast cancer.<\/p>\n Pilot: Radiation associated cancer deaths 6.7% of total deaths. Elevated rates in terms of CNS, leukemia, melanoma, breast and prostate cancer.<\/p>\n Cosmic radiation levels relative to the profession<\/strong><\/p>\n Cosmic radiation levels change greatly depending on how high an aircraft flies and how long it is at that altitude. Airline crew members obtain roughly 3 to 6 mSv of cosmic radiation and an airline passenger taking 10 cross-country flights annually receives 0.4 mSv of cosmic radiation so airline crews obtain between 8 to 15 times the radiation amount than average airplane passengers annually.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n