Flight Attendant Radiation Dose from Solar Particle Events

Previous research studying the relationship between flight attendants and reproductive health suggests that there may be increased occupational risk for adverse reproductive outcomes. As part of a larger reproductive health study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), this paper presents an assessment of air cabin radiation exposure during solar particle events. Using solar storm data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center, it was determined that seven solar particle events had potential for significant radiation exposure during the two study periods, 1992-1996 and 1999-2001. Results of the absorbed and effective flight segment doses were compared with those recommended by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. It was found that during solar particle events, a pregnant flight attendant could potentially surpass the equivalent dose limit to the conceptus of 0.5 mSv in a month.