Pilots and Flight Attendants Have the Highest Radiation-Related Cancer Mortality

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2854678

Comments

4d4mSep 26, 2026, 8:05 AM
Radiation at higher atmosphere is indeed an issue but one hard to control for in a aluminum plane. I'd love to see more mfg embrace electric compressors instead of bleed air for cabin pressurization to reduce the CNS issues faced by pilots, stewards and passengers due to toxic air syndrome from the contaminants aerosolized by engine-supplied bleed air into the cabin. It's so gross, so preventable, and possibly criminal as operators and manufacturers are found liable for injuries.
schiffernSep 26, 2026, 10:14 AM
Do ground technicians (exposed to the same contaminants, and for engine techs at much higher levels) have the same cancer risk elevations?

I was aware of the LRD risks associated with bleed air,[1] but I hadn't heard about contaminant introduction in regular service before. Very interesting, thanks.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULgLKfE6CvU

fulafelSep 26, 2026, 3:44 PM
Sounds like they controlled for it: "The researchers then examined mortality across occupations, separating out radiation-related and non–radiation-related cancers"
joinHNtheysaidSep 26, 2026, 1:44 PM
I would think though not the direct exposure alone? Maybe its also euipment and food/drink getting hot in a workhorse plane? Needs geiger counter direct sampling
staindkSep 26, 2026, 3:56 PM
Was going to say this article doesn't seem to mention the full-body scanners at the airport that I believe flight crews also need to go through... but apparently these days most of these don't use x-rays and rather use radio waves. Interesting!
gambitingSep 26, 2026, 4:32 PM
The full body scanners at airports never used X-rays.
stephenbezSep 26, 2026, 4:40 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscatter_X-ray

“[Backscatter X-ray] is one of two types of whole-body imaging technologies that have been used to perform full-body scans of airline passengers”

gambitingSep 26, 2026, 4:46 PM
TIL!
ChrisArchitectSep 25, 2026, 9:10 PM
Discussion in August: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49389524
aaron695Sep 26, 2026, 4:48 AM
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