Radiation from Air Travel
We are exposed to low levels of radiation when we fly.
These days, travel by air has become increasingly common, both for business and leisure travel. We are exposed to low levels of radiation when we fly. You would be exposed to about 0.035 mSv (3.5 mrem) of cosmic radiation if you were to fly within the United States from the east coast to the west coast. This amount of radiation is less than the amount of radiation we receive from one chest x-ray.
How am I exposed to radiation from air travel?
Radiation from air travel comes from cosmic radiation, or radiation from space. Cosmic radiation is produced by the stars, including our own sun.
The amount (dose) of radiation you get from air travel is low, but the dose depends on a few factors.
These levels of radiation are small and unlikely to affect human health.
1. Duration of the flight
The longer you are on a flight, the more radiation you receive.
2. Altitude
The higher you are in altitude, the higher the dose of radiation. This is a result of less shielding of cosmic radiation by the atmosphere at higher altitudes.
3. Latitude
The farther north or south you are from the Equator, the more radiation you will receive. This is a result of the Earth’s magnetic field deflecting some of the cosmic radiation away from the equator and toward the North and South poles.
Whether you fly or not, a person’s average dose from cosmic radiation is 0.33 mSv (33 mrem) or 11% of our yearly exposure to all natural sources of radiation.
Average Annual Dose for Natural Sources of Radiation
| Source of Natural Radiation | Average Annual Dose | Percent of Average Annual Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Internal (by Inhalation) | 2.28 mSv (228 mrem) | 73% |
| External (from Cosmic Exposure) | 0.33 mSv (33 mrem) | 11% |
| Internal (by Ingestion) | 0.29 mSv (29 mrem) | 9% |
| External (from Terrestrial Exposure) | 0.21 mSv (21 mrem) | 7% |
Reference: National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. NCRP Report No. 160, Ionizing Radiation Exposure of the Population of the United States. https://ncrponline.org/publications/reports/ncrp-report-160
Air travel exposes travelers to low levels of radiation.
Radiation from air travel is a result of naturally-occurring radiation from space we are exposed to every day.
If you want to know more about radiation exposure as a result of air travel, please click on the links below.
CDC: Radiation from Airport Security Screening
HPS: Radiation Exposure During Commercial Airline Flights
FAA: What Aircrews Should Know About Their Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation [PDF – 687kb]
NCRP: NCRP Report No. 160, Ionizing Radiation Exposure of the Population of the United States.
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration Advisory
Circular
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): Doses in Our Daily Lives.