A newly released report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. airlines to take stronger action to protect pilots, flight attendants, and other flight crew members from long-term exposure to cosmic radiation while on the job.

The congressionally mandated study recommends that the FAA officially classify in-flight cosmic radiation as an occupational hazard rather than merely an occupational consideration. Researchers found that current methods used by airlines and regulators to monitor, track, and communicate radiation exposure are inconsistent and insufficient.

Cosmic radiation naturally increases at higher altitudes and on routes closer to the Earth’s poles. While exposure on a single flight is generally low, flight crews can accumulate significant doses over decades of flying. Scientists note that ionizing radiation is associated with increased health risks, including certain cancers, although more research is needed to determine the direct impact on aviation professionals.

The report highlights that airline crews face some of the highest occupational radiation exposure levels among U.S. workers, yet they receive fewer protections than employees in other radiation-exposed industries. Researchers also noted the lack of a centralized system for tracking cumulative radiation exposure, particularly for crew members who work across multiple airlines during their careers.

Among its recommendations, NASEM urges the FAA to require airlines to establish formal radiation safety programs, improve crew education, expand radiation monitoring, and develop a standardized dose-tracking system. The report also calls for greater collaboration between the FAA and NASA to gather more real-world radiation data and improve exposure models.