Galactic cosmic radiation exposure of pregnant flight crewmembers.
BACKGROUND
In recommending the occupational dose limit of ionizing radiation for pregnant women, the International Commission on Radiological Protection apparently assumes that the dose to the conceptus from ionizing radiation exposure is about half the dose at the surface of the mother's abdomen.


METHODS
To test this assumption with respect to galactic cosmic radiation, calculations were made using FAA computer program CARI-LF2, which calculates equivalent doses from galactic cosmic rays at selected depths in soft tissue at any specified location in the atmosphere or on user-entered flight profiles.


RESULTS
The calculations showed that the equivalent dose of galactic radiation was almost the same at all depths.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus the assumption of considerable shielding of the conceptus being provided by the woman's body is not correct with respect to galactic cosmic radiation, the principal type of radiation to which aircrews are exposed. The effective dose as calculated with FAA computer program CARI-5E, which calculates effective dose in an anthropomorphic phantom at any specified location in the atmosphere or on user-entered flight profiles, was found to be a good estimate of the equivalent dose at the depth of the conceptus.
Nicholas
J S
JS
Department of Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. nicholjs@musc.edu
Copeland
K A
KA
Duke
F E
FE
Friedberg
W
W
O'Brien
K
K
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000531:Altitude; D003359:Cosmic Radiation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D011247:Pregnancy; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors