Polar Flying and Radiation Levels

[777boyindubai]

I wanted to raise awareness on the dangers of radiation and polar flying. BA and European Airlines limit Polar flights to 2 per year whereas EK don't care if it is three a month. Many of my buddies have done over 10 flights last year. It really is a hidden killer. EK started with awareness and now that as gone. Another show of no duty of care. Please no slagging matches. I want the publicity on EK and JA and the others who continue with the untenable.

[Dropp the Pilot]

Incorrect on all points. Congrats on that, as fatuity at that level is rarely attained.

Dr. C. at the clinic is an informed straight shooter who would take your call at any time and talk you down off the ledge with facts.

[ETOPS]

BA ..... 2 per year

Depends what you term "Polar" flights :rolleyes:

Many routes could achieve high latitudes such as NRT-LHR passing North of Murmansk at around 72N and LHR-YVR getting to the top end of Baffin Bay again around 72N.

There was no restriction on bidding for such trips but you could check you predicted yearly and monthly radiation totals on a website linked to BA health and safety.

I did once and was a bit surprised so concentrated on BKK and JNB ;)

[wanabee777]

A good source for dosimetry services is Landauer out of Chicago Illinois.

I believe that FedEx pilots wear dosimeter badges or at least they used to. Concorde pilots also used to wear them.

Landauer - The Global Leader in Radiation Science and Services (http://www.landauer.com/)

[Old King Coal]

Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute (https://www.sievert-system.org/?locale=en#Home)

What Is Cosmic Radiation? (https://www.sievert-system.org/?locale=en#Rayonnement)

Exposure To Cosmic Radiation Onboard Aircraft (https://www.sievert-system.org/?locale=en#Exposition)

The Effects Of Ionising Radiation On Human Health (https://www.sievert-system.org/?locale=en#Effets)

Measuring Radiation And Assessing Its Effects (https://www.sievert-system.org/?locale=en#Mesure)

FAA - Calculator for Galactic Radiation Received In Flight (http://jag.cami.jccbi.gov/cariprofile.asp)

[troff]

FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute - CARI (http://jag.cami.jccbi.gov/cariprofile.asp) is a great tool but due to the data gathering required there is a lag between your flight and information available. I am keeping records and have some interesting results.

[Dave]

troff: "interesting" in a good way or a bad way??? Thanks!

[misd-agin]

CARI-6 is a monthly average. It lags by about 1-2 months.


The annual limits is 20 mSv. Most crews struggle to get more than 5-6 mSv's per year.


Pregnant F/A's are at a much higher risk. Monthly limit is .5 mSv's and 1 mSv for the entire pregnancy.


.5 mSv can be achieved in approx. 70 hrs flying Europe to the U.S. in 777-200's (higher cruise altitude).


The CARI-6 program can be used to estimate future exposure.


I'm certain flight departments are pointing the exposure limits out to young F/A's (that's sarcasm..)


The 787, especially the 787-8, and A350's will achieve .5 mSv's in less hours than previous a/c due to the increased(higher) OPT ALT of the newer designs.

[Aluminium shuffler]

It's not just altitude that matters, but also the latitude - you get a much bigger dose near the poles at medium altitude than at the equator at high altitude and even more with solar weather. I have no idea if our exposure levels are safe, and it can't be measured merely with hours spent above a specified latitude. I would feel far happier with a dosimeter card.

[wanabee777]

The Luxel+ dosimeter badge by Landauer might suit your needs.

http://www.landauerinc.com/uploads/documents/CBCC0DB638B2462498C2D643309CE0AA.gif

Landauer - Dosimeters (http://www.landauer.com/Industry/Products/Dosimeters/Dosimeters.aspx)

[Bushfiva]

The Luxel+ dosimeter badge by Landauer might suit your needs.

That sort of thing tops out around 40 MeV.

[wanabee777]

That sort of thing tops out around 40 MeV.

I don't know if that's good or bad.

I had my badge exchanged every 6 months for analysis. I think the charge was around 50$USD per reading.

You can opt for different time intervals between readings as I recall.

Spec sheet: http://www.landauer.com/uploadedFiles/Healthcare_and_Education/Products/Dosimeters/LuxelSpecifications.en-US.pdf

[misd-agin]

You're safer flying than you are away from work. From both the sun and other risks.