It is common that it is without sunscreens that human skin during the flight is exposed to the harmful effects of rays even through the porthole. We decided to check if this is true.
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The intensity of ultraviolet radiation at the height at which passenger liners usually fly, indeed strongerthan the one that a person is subjected to Earth. This is due to the fact that the higher the person rises above the surface of the planet, the more the thin layer of the atmosphere protects it - with every thousand meters above sea level, the radiation intensity increases by about 10%. Speaking of ultraviolet radiation dangerous for humans, usually they mean two of its type: UVA and UVB. At the same time, almost 100% radiation UVB is successful Blocked By ordinary glass, so these rays are definitely not terrible in the aircraft cabin. But UVA can really penetrate inside the cabin.
In 2015, an international group of scientists conducted Meta analysis The medical data available at that time came to the conclusion that pilots and flight attendants twice as often representatives of other professions are sick with a melanoma - one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer, to which the excessive effect of ultraviolet radiation can lead. Note that the data used in the study cannot be called modern: one of the medical databases that have been used in the study have been carried out since 1823. Of course, in the 19th century there was still no such profession as a civil aviation pilot or flight attendant, therefore, apparently, later data were used for them. However, the Aviation branch is changing and improving so quickly that even several decades could seriously affect aviation security standards and make the results of research irrelevant.

In 2019, scientists from the UK and Australia Spent Another similar meta -analysis (but already on the basis of more modern data for 1970-1990) and generally confirmed the conclusions of their colleagues, although it was noted that most of the data on which the study is based is also outdated.
After receiving the results of the first meta -analysis, scientists from the University of California (USA) and the University of Turin (Italy) measured The level of ultraviolet radiation, penetrating into the cabin of the Socata TBM850 light turboprop aircraft during the flight, and came to the conclusion that a person sitting in the pilot’s chair is exposed to the same exposure to sunlight, as if he spent 20 minutes in a solarium. Moreover, measurements were carried out in two areas with different solar expositions, namely in Nevada and California.
Air France Airline crew members in 2016 Spent A similar study. Its object was the levels of solar radiation of various types (UVA, UVB and UVC), recorded during 14 flights on popular models of commercial passenger liners - Airbus A319, A330, A380 and Boeing 777. During flights on Airbus production, no penetration was found into the salon. radiation types. On the aircraft of Boeing 777 in the cabin of the pilot, type A radiation was recorded, however, it was significantly lower than the one that the pilots could receive on the ground - the glass protected from most of the radiation.
“Verified” failed to find authoritative research on the influence of ultraviolet radiation in passengers. Extrapolate on them the results of studies devoted to crew members are not entirely correct. Firstly, the area of glazing in the cab is many times higher than the area of the porthole in the cabin, which means that the potential ultraviolet can also be much higher. Secondly, passengers for life do not spend as much time in the sky as pilots and flight attendants. In addition, the results of studies on the increased risk of melanoma in crew members can be unconstructive, since partially based on outdated data.
Probably, there really are some theoretical risks of the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation in flight, especially for frequent passengers who prefer to sit near the window. And, perhaps, they should really use sunscreen in flight. However, “verified” could not be found recommendations to apply sunscreen in an airplane released by any authoritative medical institutions. And specialists of the Australian Council to Combat Cancer They say: There is no evidence that air passengers can receive sunburns while on board, and therefore do not recommend using protective equipment.
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Most likely not true
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