Comment by 4d4m
20 hours ago
Radiation at higher atmosphere is indeed an issue but one hard to control for in a aluminum plane. I'd love to see more mfg embrace electric compressors instead of bleed air for cabin pressurization to reduce the CNS issues faced by pilots, stewards and passengers due to toxic air syndrome from the contaminants aerosolized by engine-supplied bleed air into the cabin. It's so gross, so preventable, and possibly criminal as operators and manufacturers are found liable for injuries.
Do ground technicians (exposed to the same contaminants, and for engine techs at much higher levels) have the same cancer risk elevations?
I was aware of the LRD risks associated with bleed air,[1] but I hadn't heard about contaminant introduction in regular service before. Very interesting, thanks.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULgLKfE6CvU
Sounds like they controlled for it: "The researchers then examined mortality across occupations, separating out radiation-related and non–radiation-related cancers"
I would think though not the direct exposure alone? Maybe its also euipment and food/drink getting hot in a workhorse plane? Needs geiger counter direct sampling