Study Finds Highest Share of Radiation-Linked Cancer Deaths Among US Flight Crew

Researchers examined nearly 13 million U.S. death certificates from 2020-2024 and found that 6.9% of flight-attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths were attributed to radiation-related cancers, the highest rates among 500 occupations. The cancers most often cited included leukaemia, breast, thyroid and skin cancers. Ground-crew personnel, who work in similar environments without flying, did not exhibit comparable rates, pointing to cosmic radiation as a probable cause.

The study’s authors recommend implementing occupational radiation protections proportionate to exposure levels. Australian experts caution that lifestyle factors and classification issues may confound the results, and ARPANSA maintains that exposure below 6 mSv per year poses no proven health risk.