Estimating the cosmic radiation dose for a cabin crew with flight timetables

OBJECTIVE: Because of the lack of recorded flight history for cabin crew, a retrospective assessment of exposure to cosmic radiation is complicated. Our aim was to develop an assessment method for occupational exposure based on flight timetables. METHODS: The frequency of flights, aircraft types, and flight profiles from timetables were collected. The cosmic radiation dose was calculated with the EPCARD software. Based on annual doses and work history, the cumulative dose was estimated. RESULTS: The annual dose increased linearly: 0.7 milliSievert (mSv) in 1960, 1.6 mSv in 1980, 2.3 mSv in 1985, and 2.1 mSv in 1995. The median cumulative dose was 20.8 mSv (minimum 0.4 mSv, maximum 61.6 mSv). CONCLUSIONS: This method provides a simple algorithm for occupational dose assessment for cabin crew and can be used in other research settings as well.