Evaluation of the implementation of radiation protection measures for aircrew in EU member states

Abstract

An evaluation of the implementation of radiation protection measures for aircrew in EU Member States has recently been performed in a study sponsored by the European Commission. A comprehensive database has been gathered using questionnaires for civil aviation authorities, aircraft operators and radiation protection authorities in each country. The study has revealed the following results: all countries within the scope of this study where aircrew might receive annual doses >1 mSv have implemented appropriate legislation. The treatment of limits or constraints (action levels) for annual doses of 1, 6, 20 mSv could be an area where clear guidance by the European Commission might be needed. The way in which doses are determined might also be treated in a more harmonized way in the EU, including the transfer of dose data of freelancers or crew members working for other airlines. The establishment of the European Aviation Safety Agency leads to a gradual shift in responsibilities from the national civil aviation authorities towards this centralised European agency. Currently, however, tracking of doses for aircrew still lies with national bodies.

Numerical calculation of the radiation exposure from galactic cosmic rays at aviation altitudes with the PANDOCA core model

“…The assessment of exposure to natural radiation sources can, in principle, be performed through measurement or model calculation. For operational purposes, calculation is generally applied in the airline industry [ Thierfeldt et al , ; International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements , ]. This method requires a mathematical description of the calculation of dose rates in dependence on the flight route parameterized by a corresponding quantity of flight positions (longitude, latitude, and altitude) and solar activity as well as the time spent at each position.…”

Breast Cancer Among Female Flight Attendants and the Role of the Occupational Exposures

“…42,55 Most countries obtain the records until the age of 75 years or at least for 30 years after ceasing work as a flight attendant. 55 In contrast, there is still no regulation for monitoring or recording exposure to cosmic radiation among flight attendants in the United States. 56 According to the European Union Regulation "965/2012 on air operations" and respective Annex III, flight times, beginning and end of the duty period, and rest times must be obtained for a minimum of 24 months.…”

“…Many countries within the European Union now record the individually absorbed dose of cosmic radiation among airline crews in national dose registers, which may help analyze individual data in future research 42,55 . Most countries obtain the records until the age of 75 years or at least for 30 years after ceasing work as a flight attendant 55 . In contrast, there is still no regulation for monitoring or recording exposure to cosmic radiation among flight attendants in the United States 56 .…”

A Method for Calculating Atmospheric Radiation Produced by Relativistic Electron Precipitation

“…The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommends effective dose limits of 20 mSv/year for radiation workers and 1 mSv/year for the public (Wrixon, 2008). The dose limits recommended by the European Union is 6 mSv/year for aircrew and 2 mSv/year for the public (Thierfeldt et al., 2009). Present results show that the REP‐induced radiation dose at aircraft altitude inside the precipitation area could be as high as 0.4 μ Sv/hr, as produced by 10 MeV precipitation electrons with a flux of 10 4 el/cm 2 /s.…”