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European Journal of Epidemiology

Erschienen in:

01.06.2012 | MORTALITY

Cosmic radiation and mortality from cancer among male German airline pilots: extended cohort follow-up

verfasst von: Gaël Paul Hammer, Maria Blettner, Ingo Langner, Hajo Zeeb

Erschienen in: European Journal of Epidemiology | Ausgabe 6/2012

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Abstract

Commercial airline pilots are exposed to cosmic radiation and other specific occupational factors, potentially leading to increased cancer mortality. This was analysed in a cohort of 6,000 German cockpit crew members. A mortality follow-up for the years 1960–2004 was performed and occupational and dosimetry data were collected for this period. 405 deaths, including 127 cancer deaths, occurred in the cohort. The mortality from all causes and all cancers was significantly lower than in the German population. Total mortality decreased with increasing radiation doses (rate ratio (RR) per 10 mSv: 0.85, 95 % CI: 0.79, 0.93), contrasting with a non-significant increase of cancer mortality (RR per 10 mSv: 1.05, 95 % CI: 0.91, 1.20), which was restricted to the group of cancers not categorized as radiogenic in categorical analyses. While the total and cancer mortality of cockpit crew is low, a positive trend of all cancer with radiation dose is observed. Incomplete adjustment for age, other exposures correlated with duration of employment and a healthy worker survivor effect may contribute to this finding. More information is expected from a pooled analysis of updated international aircrew studies.

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Titel: Cosmic radiation and mortality from cancer among male German airline pilots: extended cohort follow-up
verfasst von: Gaël Paul Hammer
Maria Blettner
Ingo Langner
Hajo Zeeb
Publikationsdatum: 01.06.2012
Verlag: Springer Netherlands
Erschienen in: European Journal of Epidemiology / Ausgabe 6/2012
Print ISSN: 0393-2990
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-7284
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-012-9698-2

Springer Medizin

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