Why are airline crews exposed to much more background radiation than the average person?

Why are airline crews exposed to much more background radiation than the average person? Why are airline crews exposed to much more background radiation than the average person? They are receiving more background radiation from space as they spend more time at higher elevations.

Why do airline pilots and flight crews have an increased incidence of melanoma?

UV radiation from sun exposure is a major risk factor for malignant melanoma and other skin cancers. It's possible that crewmembers are exposed to the sun more outside of work than the general population. They may also be exposed to the sun more during flights.

How can you protect yourself from radiation on a plane?

Why do flight attendants wear sunscreen?

UVA penetrates deeper into the skin causing damage to the skin collagen and elastin, resulting in premature skin ageing and can also cause skin cancer. A study in 2015 found that, compared with the general population, pilots and cabin crew had around twice the rate of melanoma.

Are there health risks to being a flight attendant?

Studies have indicated that fatigue is a significant problem among flight attendants (34). The FAHS found an increased prevalence of adverse sleep and mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse among flight attendants (13). Fatigue and depression are symptoms that often coexist (35,36).

Is flying bad for your health radiation?

We are exposed to low levels of radiation when we fly. You would be exposed to about 0.035 mSv (3.5 mrem) of cosmic radiation if you were to fly within the United States from the east coast to the west coast. This amount of radiation is less than the amount of radiation we receive from one chest x-ray.

Why do airplane pilots have a higher average annual radiation exposure than most other occupations?

Passengers and flight crews are exposed to radiation because the shielding from Earth's atmosphere against high-energy solar particles and cosmic rays is weaker at normal cruising altitudes than at the surface.

Can a flight attendant get pregnant?

Can a flight attendant get pregnant? In fact, some airlines have policies where Flight Attendants who become pregnant are placed on medical maternity leave and receive compensation from the airline. Some airline companies require you to serve a minimum of 3 years so that you can keep your job.

Do you age faster as a flight attendant?

Scientists have done the math, and it turns out that frequent fliers actually age the tiniest bit more quickly than people with both feet on the ground. But not to worry, the difference is so small, you don't have to worry about extra wrinkles.