New Report Urges Closer Scrutiny of In-flight Crew Radiation Risks | Aviation International News

New Report Urges Closer Scrutiny of Crew Radiation Risk

The report says current measuring, monitoring, and education are insufficient

Pilot in jet cockpit — A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is urging the FAA to place closer scrutiny on the levels of atmospheric radiation flight crews are exposed to. © AdobeStock

By Curt Epstein • Business Aviation Services Editor

June 15, 2026

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is calling on the FAA to classify atmospheric radiation as an occupational hazard and to install more cohesive testing, monitoring, and education for flight crews.

From natural radiation exposure during flight, crewmembers receive among the highest occupational exposures to radiation among workers in the U.S., but they lack regulatory protections in comparison to other radiation-exposed workers, the congressionally commissioned report stated. Although the radiation dose received during any individual flight is generally low, evidence indicates that the cumulative dose accrued over the course of a career may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes.

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The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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