Increased frequency of chromosome translocations in airline pilots with long-term flying experience

Yong, Lee C.; Sigurdson, Alice J.; Ward, Elizabeth; Waters, Martha A.; Whelan, Elizabeth A.; Petersen, Martin R.; Bhatti, Parveen; Ramsey, Marilyn J.; Ron, Elaine; Tucker, James D.

doi:10.1136/oem.2008.038901

Cited by 44 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition, a recent survey of the exposure due to CRs demonstrated that none exceeded the recommended level of 6 mSv/y and the majority of aircrew received around 3 mSv/y (Bennett et al 2013a(Bennett et al , 2013b. However, according to several studies discovering chromosome aberrations in aircrew members, the topic deserves further investigations (Bolzan et al 2008;Yong et al 2009) as well as additional verification (Wolf et al 1999). Therefore, the development of new models as well as the improvement and validation of existing models for dose assessment, specifically during GLEs, is of a big importance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical model for computation of effective and ambient dose equivalent at flight altitudes

Mishev

Usoskin

2015

J. Space Weather Space Clim.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A numerical model for assessment of the effective dose and ambient dose equivalent produced by secondary cosmic ray particles of galactic and solar origin at commercial aircraft altitudes is presented. The model represents a full chain analysis based on ground-based measurements of cosmic rays, from particle spectral and angular characteristics to dose estimation. The model is based on newly numerically computed yield functions and realistic propagation of cosmic ray in the Earth magnetosphere. The yield functions are computed using a straightforward full Monte Carlo simulation of the atmospheric cascade induced by primary protons and a-particles and subsequent conversion of secondary particle fluence (neutrons, protons, gammas, electrons, positrons, muons and charged pions) to effective dose or the ambient dose equivalent. The ambient dose equivalent is compared with reference data at various conditions such as rigidity cut-off and level of solar activity. The method is applied for computation of the effective dose rate at flight altitude during the ground level enhancement of 13 December 2006. The solar proton spectra are derived using neutron monitor data. The computation of the effective dose rate during the event explicitly considers the derived anisotropy i.e. the pitch angle distribution as well as the propagation of the solar protons in the magnetosphere of the Earth.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical model for computation of effective and ambient dose equivalent at flight altitudes

Mishev

Usoskin

2015

J. Space Weather Space Clim.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For a NIOSH study of chromosome aberrations among commercial airline pilots and a comparison group of university faculty, the adjusted translocation frequency was significantly associated with flight years (P 5 0.01) with rate ratios of 1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.11] and 1.81 (95% CI 1.16-2.82) for a 1-and 10-year incremental increase in flight years, respectively (Yong et al, 2009).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Airline Pilot Cosmic Radiation and Circadian Disruption Exposure Assessment from Logbooks and Company Records

Grajewski

Waters

Yong

et al. 2011

The Annals of Occupational Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: US commercial airline pilots, like all flight crew, are at increased risk for specific cancers, but the relation of these outcomes to specific air cabin exposures is unclear. Flight time or block (airborne plus taxi) time often substitutes for assessment of exposure to cosmic radiation. Our objectives were to develop methods to estimate exposures to cosmic radiation and circadian disruption for a study of chromosome aberrations in pilots and to describe workplace exposures for these pilots.Methods: Exposures were estimated for cosmic ionizing radiation and circadian disruption between August 1963 and March 2003 for 83 male pilots from a major US airline. Estimates were based on 523 387 individual flight segments in company records and pilot logbooks as well as summary records of hours flown from other sources. Exposure was estimated by calculation or imputation for all but 0.02% of the individual flight segments' block time. Exposures were estimated from questionnaire data for a comparison group of 51 male university faculty.Results: Pilots flew a median of 7126 flight segments and 14 959 block hours for 27.8 years. In the final study year, a hypothetical pilot incurred an estimated median effective dose of 1.92 mSv (absorbed dose, 0.85 mGy) from cosmic radiation and crossed 362 time zones. This study pilot was possibly exposed to a moderate or large solar particle event a median of 6 times or once every 3.7 years of work. Work at the study airline and military flying were the two highest sources of pilot exposure for all metrics. An index of work during the standard sleep interval (SSI travel) also suggested potential chronic sleep disturbance in some pilots. For study airline flights, median segment radiation doses, time zones crossed, and SSI travel increased markedly from the 1990s to 2003 (P trend < 0.0001). Dose metrics were moderately correlated with records-based duration metrics (Spearman's r 5 0.61-0.69).Conclusions: The methods developed provided an exposure profile of this group of US airline pilots, many of whom have been exposed to increasing cosmic radiation and circadian disruption from the 1990s through 2003. This assessment is likely to decrease exposure misclassification in health studies.

show abstract

“…All the regression models were adjusted for flight years (quartiles: , 13·2, 13·2 -17·4, 17·5 -23·2 or $ 23·3) as well as for known confounders (22) : age at blood draw (#40, 41 -45, 46-50 or . 50 years), cumulative red bone marrow X-ray dose score (,0·5, 0·5-1·9 or $ 2·0), as calculated by Yong et al (22) , and military flying (yes or no).…”

Section: Statistical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…50 years), cumulative red bone marrow X-ray dose score (,0·5, 0·5-1·9 or $ 2·0), as calculated by Yong et al (22) , and military flying (yes or no). Additional adjustments were made for the following lifestyle factors: pack-years of cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, months of vigorous recreational activity and BMI (kg/m 2 ) as continuous variables.…”

Section: Statistical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

High dietary niacin intake is associated with decreased chromosome translocation frequency in airline pilots

Yong

Petersen

2010

Br J Nutr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Experimental studies suggest that B vitamins such as niacin, folate, riboflavin, vitamin B 6 and vitamin B 12 may protect against DNA damage induced by ionising radiation (IR). However, to date, data from IR-exposed human populations are not available. We examined the intakes of these B vitamins and their food sources in relation to the frequency of chromosome translocations as a biomarker of cumulative DNA damage, in eighty-two male airline pilots. Dietary intakes were estimated by using a self-administered semi-quantitative FFQ. Translocations in peripheral blood lymphocytes were scored by using fluorescence in situ hybridisation whole-chromosome painting. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate rate ratios and 95 % CI, adjusted for age and occupational and lifestyle factors. We observed a significant inverse association between translocation frequency and dietary intake of niacin (P¼0·02): adjusted rate ratio for subjects in the highest tertile compared with the lowest tertile was 0·58 (95 % CI 0·40, 0·83). Translocation frequency was not associated with total niacin intake from food and supplements as well as dietary or total intake of folate, riboflavin or vitamin B 6 or B 12 . However, the adjusted rate ratios were significant for subjects with $median compared with ,median intake of whole grains (P¼ 0·03) and red and processed meat (P¼0·01): 0·69 (95 % CI 0·50, 0·96) and 1·56 (95 % CI 1·13, 2·16), respectively. Our data suggest that a high intake of niacin from food or a diet high in whole grains but low in red and processed meat may protect against cumulative DNA damage in IR-exposed persons.

show abstract

Increased frequency of chromosome translocations in airline pilots with long-term flying experience

Cited by 44 publications

References 42 publications

Numerical model for computation of effective and ambient dose equivalent at flight altitudes

Numerical model for computation of effective and ambient dose equivalent at flight altitudes

Airline Pilot Cosmic Radiation and Circadian Disruption Exposure Assessment from Logbooks and Company Records

High dietary niacin intake is associated with decreased chromosome translocation frequency in airline pilots

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About