A new U.S. study identified flight attendants and pilots as the occupations with the highest proportions of deaths from cancers linked to radiation. The research did not establish cosmic radiation as the direct cause of these deaths.
Cancer deaths stand out in aircrew occupations
The research analyzed deaths from ionizing radiation-associated cancers across 503 professions. Flight attendants had 6.9% of all recorded deaths from these cancers, the highest rate among all occupations. Pilots ranked second with 6.7%.
Nuclear technologists, who work with direct radiation exposure, placed 12th in the rankings. Aircraft mechanics and assemblers did not show higher rates of these cancer deaths than other jobs.
Both flight attendants and pilots experienced raised death rates from breast cancer, central nervous system cancers, prostate cancer, and melanoma. Pilots also had a significantly higher death rate from leukemia. The same increase was not observed for cancers unrelated to radiation.
Cosmic radiation exposure accumulates over years in the air
At typical commercial flight altitudes, the atmosphere offers less protection against cosmic ionizing radiation—high-energy particles from space. While passengers receive minimal doses, aircrew accumulate exposure over thousands of hours in the air.
Radiation levels depend on flight duration, altitude, latitude, and solar activity. Longer flights, higher altitudes, and polar routes increase exposure.
Other health risks compound aircrew exposure
Cosmic radiation is only one of several occupational health risks for pilots and flight attendants. Disrupted sleep patterns, circadian rhythm disruptions, and frequent time zone changes also affect long-term health.
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Flight attendants encounter additional challenges, including physical strain from standing and lifting, turbulence-related injuries, exposure to infectious diseases, and stress from passenger interactions. Research has explored potential links between radiation exposure and miscarriage risk during the first trimester.
These findings do not confirm causation. Other job-related factors, such as working during normal sleeping hours or prolonged standing, may influence pregnancy outcomes.
Reducing exposure without leaving the job
While cosmic radiation exposure cannot be eliminated during flight, aircrew can take steps to limit it.
Routes at high latitudes or near the poles, where Earth’s magnetic field offers less protection, deliver higher radiation doses. Aircrew can use tools like the FAA’s CARI program to estimate exposure for specific flights based on route, altitude, and duration.
Pregnant crew members should discuss occupational exposures with employers and healthcare providers. They may reduce time on long flights, high-latitude routes, and during major solar particle events—periods of heightened radiation from space weather.
Monitoring solar activity through NASA and NOAA resources helps aircrew stay informed about radiation spikes. These measures cannot eliminate exposure but can help manage cumulative doses over a career in healthier ways.
The research highlights the importance of better awareness and monitoring of radiation exposure in aviation. Other factors, such as lifestyle, work schedules, and additional job hazards, likely contribute to cancer risks, making it difficult to isolate radiation as the sole factor.
