Thai Research Reveals Flight Crew At Risk Of Cosmic Rays

[webfact]

Research reveals flight crew cosmic ray risk

By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

Flight attendants, stewards and pilots were more at risk of having cancer than other professions due to their frequent exposure to cosmic radiation while flying, the Medical Sciences Department claimed yesterday.

The further the distance covered the more the risk from radiation exposure, the report said. For example, a Bangkok-New York direct flight was said to yield the cancer risk rate of 4 per 10,000 people, while a flight to Europe yielded 2 per 10,000.

Department researchers Atthakowit Sa-nguansat and Sirichai Thienrat presented the research on cancer risk from radiation exposure among cabin crews to the 18th Medical Sciences Conference at the Shangri-La Hotel yesterday.

Atthakowit explained that cosmic radiation is energetic particles originating from outer space impinging on Earth's atmosphere from all directions. Studies in past decades have shown that commercial flight crews received more than one millisievert (MSV), which was the general public's radiation exposure limit.

The finding prompted the International Atomic Energy Agency to require assessment and recording of such radiation exposure, a measure implemented already in Europe and the USA.

Atthakowit said his team studied the rate of radiation exposure and cancer risk among THAI flight attendants flying from Thailand to various regions. They found that those on domestic flights or within the Asian region had less than one MSV per 1,000 flight hours per year, while those on Europe-bound flights had 3.3-4.3 MSV per 1,000 flight hours per year, or a cancer risk rate of 2 per 10,000.

A round trip from Thailand to New York yielded 0.28 MSV, which was 10 times more than that yielded from a lung X-ray machine, and thus yielded 7.8 MSV per 1,000 flight hours per year or the cancer risk rate of 4 per 10,000 people, he added.

He explained that the general public should have less than one MSV while those working with radiation or frequent high-flyers should have less than 20 MSV per year.

Many countries now set a limit on cosmic radiation exposure on flight attendants and pilots. Japan's limit was no more than 5 MSV and Europe's limit 6 MSV, beyond which flight attendants must rest on the ground for certain periods.

Thailand hasn't set such a limit yet, he said. Pointing out that the cancer risk rate of 2 per 10,000 people was still small, Atthakowit said the study aimed to have commercial flight attendants and pilots record their flight hours to know how much radiation they had been exposed to each year.

-- The Nation 2010-08-25

[Tywais]

Not sure what is new about this research as it has been known for many years the dangers of radiation exposure at altitude.

[nowork114]

Not sure what is new about this research as it has been known for many years the dangers of radiation exposure at altitude.

Before, radiation exposure at altitude applied only to foreigners. Since it's now confirmed by Thai authority it applies to Thais as well.

[sjjmmi]

LOL

Not sure what is new about this research as it has been known for many years the dangers of radiation exposure at altitude.

Before, radiation exposure at altitude applied only to foreigners. Since it's now confirmed by Thai authority it applies to Thais as well.

[Payboy]

That explains why the Thai Airways crew pretend they are just passengers and dont serve anyone.

[bkkjames]

Perhaps it's a ploy to say 'We should be paid more because of the risk'?

[haveaniceday]

99% statement from the relevant Unions for a pay claim. That is fine. But very old information that was common knowledge 20 years ago.

I think the only thing new is now Thai may believe it is not now only Farlang at risk of exposure !!!!

Edited August 25, 2010 by haveaniceday

[Hawk]

I would have thought that they should be more concerned about smoking and cigarette smoke as cosmic radiation is really a minor problem on a scale of 1 - 10.

[jackr]

Before, radiation exposure at altitude applied only to foreigners. Since it's now confirmed by Thai authority it applies to Thais as well.

Wasn't it also confirmed that it is only a danger to humans with operational braincells?

[RKASA]

They must be setting in front of open windows during every flight. The re cycled air is more a risk then this ever will be and is more likely the cause of the results. This - like most down winder studies, the results normally depend on how interested the lawyers are in the findings or a liberal is in condemning something to promote themselves.

[RedNIvar]

Not sure what is new about this research as it has been known for many years the dangers of radiation exposure at altitude.

Before, radiation exposure at altitude applied only to foreigners. Since it's now confirmed by Thai authority it applies to Thais as well.

ROFLMFAO.

The sad thing is that Thai's live by what is confirmed by Thai authority. It ends up being taught in school. Ask any Thai?

[sunanta]

Not sure what is new about this research as it has been known for many years the dangers of radiation exposure at altitude.

THIS IS AN E Z ONE ALUMINUM HELMUT

[Thai at Heart]

Union demands free Sunblock and Whitening Cream to protect Stewardesses from Cosmic Rays

[ScubaBuddha]

Only 15 years behind Thailand. Well done.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2551425/

Next weeks study will reveal wearing seat belts reduces your odds of being killed in a car accident.

[animatic]

Not sure what is new about this research as it has been known for many years the dangers of radiation exposure at altitude.

Before, radiation exposure at altitude applied only to foreigners. Since it's now confirmed by Thai authority it applies to Thais as well.

It only took them an extra 15 years to make it official,

after someone eventually budgeted the equipment to actual TAKE the readings

[newermonkey]

Not sure what is new about this research as it has been known for many years the dangers of radiation exposure at altitude.

We all know its old news, its just that Thai scientists are trying hard to justify their existence, they probably thought the scientific (farang) community had forgotten about that one!

I would say (in my humble opinion) that Thai scientists have probably invented nothing new... Can anyone correct me on that?

[Scott]

I recall reading something about this a very LONG time ago and it was mostly concerning the radiation rate being very high in the flights over the North pole, which was the non-stop route used from New York to Bangkok. At that time they were (if I recall correctly) recommending how often it was safe for passengers to take that route.

So what is different about this study?

[fullerphoto]

Not sure what is new about this research as it has been known for many years the dangers of radiation exposure at altitude.

We all know its old news, its just that Thai scientists are trying hard to justify their existence, they probably thought the scientific (farang) community had forgotten about that one!

I would say (in my humble opinion) that Thai scientists have probably invented nothing new... Can anyone correct me on that?

Yes, they didn't invent anything old either.

[TAWP]

"Thai researcher reveals they lack any knowledge in using Google"

[moe666]

He probaly just graduated from college and wants to set the world on fire

[JohnnyFeelIt]

Only 15 years behind Thailand. Well done.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2551425/

Next weeks study will reveal wearing seat belts reduces your odds of being killed in a car accident.

That would conflict with the 'wearing the correct buddist amulet makes you invincible in an automobile theorm', perhaps they should start issuing amulets to airline staff?

[newermonkey]

Latest... Thai researchers to get massive 1 million Baht budget to make cold fusion work, Prof Somchy Yettitsallsoprong said his team will start to analyze the chemical makeup of common chemicals such as alcohol. He was quick to point out that supermarkets can only sell alcohol at certain times, so this might result in hot confusion before cold fusion can be observed. Prof Somchy also pointed out that western researchers had not achieved cold fusion because they had overlooked the simplest solutions and had not tried putting ice in their beer.

"Professor Somchy has already nominated himself for the Nobel Peace Prize"

"Thai researcher reveals they lack any knowledge in using Google"

Edited August 26, 2010 by newermonkey

[manarak]

the series of mocking comments made here would sicken me if I was Thai.

You want to be respected and given rights, yet you keep mocking your hosts...

[TAWP]

I mock things in need to be mocked no-matter the country. Deal with it.

[timpane]

This - like most down winder investigations, the outcomes commonly count on how involved the solicitors are in the outcome or a liberal is in accusing certain thing to encourage themselves.

[Jangot]

Quote "Atthakowit said the study aimed to have commercial flight attendants and pilots record their flight hours to know how much radiation they had been exposed to each year". Unquote.

Flight crew recording their flight hours?.....now there is a novel idea, the authorities should seriously consider that.

[newermonkey]

Would you mind posting your comment again in English, as I am sure most readers don't understand the language you have used. Was it written in some sort of Caribbean Jive or African American Vernacular English or perhaps its the Ket language spoken in Siberia?

This - like most down winder investigations, the outcomes commonly count on how involved the solicitors are in the outcome or a liberal is in accusing certain thing to encourage themselves.

[ajarnpot]

Forget the aircrews, has anyone else noted the old asbestos corrugated concreted mix stuff that was banned in eu countries I think production of sheets as late as 98

but still in use and crumbling in all sorts of places in thailand,

just remember to hold your breath as you see that hole appear, and remember the chinese still produce the asbestos stuff as they are not worred about it yet