The Surprising Dangers of Flying through Clouds

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The Surprising Dangers of Flying through Clouds

Posted by: Dr. Mercola

January 02 2010 | 42,738 views

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/02/How-Going-Through-\

Clouds-When-Flying-Increases-Your-Exposure-to-Radiation.aspx

Passengers on planes flying near or through lightning storms could be

exposed to harmful levels of radiation. Lightning discharges, or a related

phenomena known as terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, can jolt airline

passengers with a level of radiation equivalent to 400 chest X-rays.

A study was conducted to estimate radiation levels based on satellite and

ground observations of X-rays and gamma rays. Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes

are mysterious phenomena that are believed to originate at the same flying

altitudes as airliners. Scientists believe they are produced in the electric

fields above the thunderstorms.

Using computer models to estimate the levels of radiation produced within or

near thunderclouds during a lightning storm, researchers concluded that the

amount of radiation within immediate proximity to these lightning events

could be high enough to be considered a " biologically significant level. "

Sources:

AOL Travel December 10, 2009

Journal of Geophysical Research December 2009

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Flying frequently can be hazardous to your health. This is especially true

for those who do it for a living, of course. However, many people fly

frequently on business and are also exposed to this risk.

One study published in The Lancet found higher rates of certain cancers

among jet pilots and crew members. The study's authors theorized that the

increased cancer risk was due to chromosome damage caused by excessive

exposure to ionizing radiation.

The form of cancer found to be most increased among the flight crews is

acute myeloid leukemia, which is very often fatal. It has an average

survival time of 3 to 4 years following diagnosis. Even in patients who

experience complete remission, recurrence is common.

Scientists have also discovered a higher risk of skin cancer among flight

crews. Commercial airline pilots appear to have a greater risk of developing

a particular type of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma. While melanoma

is relatively rare, it is more dangerous than other types of skin cancer

because it is more likely to metastasize or spread to other parts of your

body, and carries a high mortality rate.

Flight attendants may be at an increased risk of skin and breast cancer,

according to studies. What's more, research has shown that flight attendants

who work an average of 16 weeks during pregnancy have nearly double the rate

of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) as their nonworking counterparts.

I have personally seen a number of flight attendants become disabled and

unable to work due to chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. There is

clearly something hazardous about flying regularly.

More Dangers than Radiation

In addition to the radiation dangers, frequent flying causes regular

disruptions of your sensitive pituitary hypothalamic axis due to shifting

time zones. Melatonin levels are clearly affected. There is also the issue

of breathing recycled air that may be contaminated with airborne infectious

agents from some sick passengers.

I am convinced that for whatever reason, flying is not one of the

healthiest things to do on a regular basis. The common sense approach would

be to minimize any unnecessary flights. If you have to fly regularly in your

job and you have the opportunity to switch positions, I would encourage you

to do that for health reasons.

Protect Yourself with a Healthy Diet

One of the best things you can do to limit your risk of cancer, whether

you are a pilot, flight attendant or otherwise, is to make certain you are

eating healthy food. This is virtually impossible with the current quality

of airline food. So make sure you bring your own food on long trips.

Increased intake of vitamins C and E and other antioxidants may protect

against DNA damage from ionizing radiation. The strongest protective

effects -- a reduction of 73 percent in chromosome translocations -- have

been observed for above average combined intakes of vitamins C and E,

beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin from food.

This will also, of course, help protect you against ionizing radiation

from other sources -- such as excessive X-rays and CT scans. Even if you

avoid flying, make sure to also protect yourself against a health care

system that could kill you the exact same way!

Personally I use high doses of powerful resveratrol, like our Purple

Defense, to help protect me against these radiation dangers when I fly. I

typically take 8 when I fly domestically and 10 internationally and that

seems to work very well.

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