Dosimetry of aircrew exposure to radiation during solar maximum

Objective

Aircrew are exposed to an increased amount of radiation in the upper atmosphere due to the higher cruising altitudes adopted over the last decade. The inclusion of cosmic radiation as occupational exposure under revised European Union Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM has highlighted the need to carry out a thorough investigation of the radiation field at aircraft altitudes and to estimate the exposure of aircrew. The radiation field in question is very complicated and involves a mixture of radiation types and a range not experienced in occupational exposure studies at ground level. Furthermore dose levels vary with altitude, geomagnetic latitude and the phase of the solar cycle. Measurements and calculations have been successfully completed for the last seven years of the eleven-year solar cycle. The aim of the present project is to consolidate and complete the investigations through the upcoming solar maximum.

Programme(s)

• FP5-EAECTP C - Research and training programme (Euratom) in the field of nuclear energy (1998 to 2002)

Topic(s)

• 2.1.3.-3.2. - Management of exposure to natural radiation

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

DUBLIN INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES

Address

5,Merrion Square 5
2 Dublin
Ireland

Participants (6)

AGENZIA NAZIONALE PER LA PROTEZIONE DELL'AMBIENTE

Italy

Address

Via Vitaliano Brancati 48
00144 Roma

AUSTRIAN RESEARCH CENTERS SIEBERDORF

Austria

Address

2444 Seibersdorf

BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND

Germany

Address

100,Bundesallee 100
38023 Braunschweig

INSTITUT DE RADIOPROTECTION ET DE SURETE NUCLEAIRE

France

Address

Rue Auguste Lemaire
92262 Fontenay Aux Roses

NATIONAL RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION BOARD

United Kingdom

Address

OX11 0RQ Didcot, Harwell, Chilton

SWEDISH RADIATION PROTECTION INSTITUTE

Sweden

Address

171 16 Solna