Occupational cancer risk in flying personnel: Current epidemiological knowledge

Flying personnel played only a minor role within the scope of radiation epidemiology until the beginning of this decade. Since 1990, a number of epidemiologic studies have been published on the cancer risk among flying personnel. The results of these studies are not yet conclusive: elevated cancer risk have been observed in some studies, but not in others. Since the exposure situation for pilots and flight attendants is unique, their role for radiation epidemiology should not be underestimated. Results of epidemiological studies are presented as well as information on planned studies. (orig.)