I have just spent some time with a group of Nuclear Scientists who are specialist in Radiation and Contamination. These guys do this for a living and have designed and operated monitoring systems around the world. In short their credentials are impeccable. They tell me that our biggest concern should not be so called Cosmic Radiation per-se but contamination from man made particles present in the layers in which we operate in increasing amounts. These particles remain airborne for long periods and are fed into aircraft in the normal way and consumed by its occupants. Naturally we spend a great deal of time in the air and consequently absorb and concentrate comparatively high doses of this contamination. They have suggested that the only affective way to monitor this is to use a Dose Meter. Do any of you use such Dose Meters provided by your company??
Amongst other examples of why these levels are increasing they cited accidents in the old USSR which make Chernobyl look like a tea party. Vast, vast quantities of highly radioactive material was accidentally exploded into the atmosphere and surrounding areas. These materials were absorbed into the water courses and winter ice gradually being released in the summer as river levels drop, mud is exposed which turns to fine dust and is taken up into the atmosphere. A surprising amount ends up at high levels. Apparently this contamination is getting worse as river levels reduce due to over-use exposing more of the silty river deposits to the open air. Over a period of an hour or so these guys explained a terrifying scenario which is there now. They strongly recommended that any commercial pilot wear a Dose Meter to monitor individual absorption as a matter of urgency.