How much radiation is in a 7 hour flight?

Radiation Exposure on Seven-Hour Flights

Air travel is a convenient and efficient mode of transportation, but it comes with a minor exposure to radiation. The amount of radiation received during a flight depends on various factors, including altitude, flight duration, and the aircraft’s design.

Radiation Sources in Aircraft

The primary sources of radiation in aircraft are cosmic rays and naturally occurring radioactive elements present in the aircraft’s structure. Cosmic rays are energetic particles that originate from outside the Earth’s atmosphere. When these particles interact with the aircraft’s materials, they release secondary radiation that can be absorbed by passengers.

Radiation Exposure During a Seven-Hour Flight

For a typical seven-hour flight, the average radiation exposure is approximately 0.02 millisieverts (mSv). To put this into perspective, a standard chest x-ray typically involves an exposure of about 0.1 mSv. Therefore, the radiation exposure received on a seven-hour flight is significantly lower than that of a single chest x-ray.

Long-Term Exposure for Pilots

Pilots, due to their frequent flights, accumulate a higher annual radiation dose compared to the general public. However, even for pilots, the annual dose is typically within the range considered safe by international radiation protection standards. According to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the recommended annual dose limit for occupational exposure is 20 mSv. Most pilots do not exceed this limit, even after years of service.

Comparison to Other Medical Imaging Procedures

In comparison to other medical imaging procedures, the radiation exposure from a seven-hour flight is relatively low. For example, a brain CT scan typically involves an exposure of about 2 mSv, which is approximately 100 times higher than the exposure from a seven-hour flight.

Conclusion

Air travel involves a minimal radiation dose that is significantly less than that of many common medical imaging procedures. For the general public, the radiation exposure from a seven-hour flight is considered safe and does not pose any significant health risks. Pilots, while exposed to higher doses due to their frequent flights, are typically within the recommended annual dose limits set by international radiation protection standards.