Does Airplane Radiation Cause Cancer?

When you fly in an airplane, you might wonder if you are exposed to harmful radiation that could cause cancer. This belief is a new one for many, and it is understandable to feel concerned when traveling by air. Let’s explore the facts and myths surrounding airplane radiation and its potential connection to cancer.

Understanding Airplane Radiation

Airplane radiation is often misunderstood. What exactly is 'airplane radiation'? It refers to the exposure to cosmic radiation that aircraft are constantly subjected to as they fly through the Earth's atmosphere. Cosmic radiation is made up of high-energy particles from the sun and elsewhere in space that penetrate through the Earth's atmosphere. Air travel elevates your exposure to this radiation because the atmosphere provides natural shielding at ground level, which is significantly reduced at high altitudes.

Exposure to Cosmic Radiation

While you are indeed exposed to more cosmic radiation when flying, the exact level of exposure greatly varies. According to experts, the average commercial airliner flying at cruising altitude (typically 35,000 feet) exposes passengers to approximately 0.03 millisieverts (mSv) per hour of flight. This compares to the average annual dose from natural background radiation on the ground, which is about 2.4 mSv. While this might seem significant, it is important to note that the radiation levels on a plane are still relatively low.

Can Cosmic Radiation Cause Cancer?

The question of whether cosmic radiation from airplanes can lead to cancer remains a complex issue devoid of solid evidence. Scientific studies have shown that high doses of radiation, such as those experienced by atomic bomb survivors, are linked to an increased risk of cancer. However, the link between continuous low-level exposure and cancer is less clear. Epidemiological studies struggle to distinguish radiation-induced cancers from other types of cancer, making it challenging to establish a definitive causal relationship at low doses.

Scientific Evidence and Low-Level Radiation Exposures

There is compelling scientific evidence suggesting that low-level radiation exposures do not cause cancer in the same way as high doses. Research has indicated that the risk of cancer from low-level radiation is significantly lower. This is supported by studies on populations living in areas with high natural background radiation, who do not have a higher incidence of cancer despite being exposed to higher levels of radiation naturally. One notable example is the people of Gabon, Africa, who live near nuclear facilities with no increased risk of cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while airplane radiation does contribute to the overall radiation exposure of passengers, the actual risk of developing cancer from these levels is minimal. The majority of people (approximately half) will contract cancer at some point in their lives due to various factors, but this is not directly linked to airplane radiation exposure.

Keywords: airplane radiation, cancer risk, cosmic radiation