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24 May 2012

Answer to Question #3168 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Environmental and Background Radiation — Airplanes

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I am an airline pilot and was treated for nasopharyngeal cancer 10 years ago. I received 7,100 rad. Shortly after returning to flying I was experiencing radiation recall where my head and neck would turn bright red and then subside with in a few hours. This disappeared after one year. What are the cumulative effects of continuing to fly at high altitude considering my previous health and exposure to radiation?

You received a very large dose of radiation to part of your body for obviously effective treatment of your cancer. The US National Council on Radiation Protection estimates that the average American receives an annual dose of 3 mSv from naturally occurring background radiation. About 10% of this is from cosmic radiation. Your professional flying increases this dose slightly. However, the sum of radiation you now receive from all sources (natural background, occupational exposure, and medical x ray) adds an insignificant amount relative to the dose you received for radiotherapy. This should be no cause for concern.

S. Julian Gibbs, PhD, DDS

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