Cosmic Rays at Sky-High Altitudes Elevate Cancer Risk for Flight Crew

A JAMA Internal Medicine study analyzing death certificates of 12.7 million people (2020–2024) across 503 occupations finds aircrew—flight attendants and pilots—have the highest share of radiation-related cancers, likely due to cosmic radiation exposure at altitude. Flight attendants were about 50% more likely and pilots about 36% more likely to die from radiation-related cancers than other workers. Ground-based roles like nuclear technologists had lower radiation-related risk. The study underscores a need for better monitoring and protections for aircrew, noting US policy currently has no federal dose limits or routine monitoring for aircrew radiation exposure.