Dosimetry at commercial airline altitudes

Abstract

Scientists have been assessing the exposure of crewmembers and passengers of commercial airlines to ionizing radiation ever since it was identified as a health risk in the early 1960s. Progress has been made over the years in measuring and monitoring radiation at flight altitudes. The interaction of ionizing radiation with cellular DNA might lead to harmful effects such as cancer. To monitor and measure the radiation exposure of commercial airline crewmembers and passengers, a very small and lightweight active dosimeter known as HARM, an acronym for High Altitude Radiation Monitor, was developed and built. This instrument uses a silicon semiconductor sensor capable of measuring neutral and charged particles during a flight. Measurements obtained during a flight have been shown to exceed the limits of ground level workplaces and consequently, radiation exposure could be harmful to crewmembers and passengers. Therefore, monitoring changing radiation parameters in space and time is essential. In this presentation, I will talk about HARM observations and discuss current approaches to radiation risk estimation used by radiation agencies. - Abstract as displayed in the - Abstract booklet. The presentation on the day may differ from the - Abstract.