Cosmic radiation
The Earth's magnetic field provides some protection against cosmic radiation; this protection is most effective in the vicinity of the equator. No provisions are made for extra protection against radiation during the flight.
The unit used to measure the amount of ionizing radiation the human body is exposed to, is Sievert (Sv), one thousandth of which is 1 mSv and one millionth is 1 µSv. On the surface of the Earth, the quantity of natural radiation a person in Finland is exposed to annually be 4 mSv, of which more than one half consists of indoor radon gases.
The cosmic radiation present on the surface of the Earth and at cruising altitudes of aircraft originates in outer space (85%) and from the sun (15%).
Examples of inflight radiation exposure:
| Route | Type of aircraft | Duration of flight | Quantity of radiation µS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helsinki–Rovaniemi | Embraer 170 | 1 h 10 min | 5 |
| Helsinki–Rome | Airbus A320 | 3 h 10 min | 18 |
| Helsinki–New York | Airbus A330-300 | 8 h 10 min | 53 |
| Helsinki–Shanghai | Airbus A340-300 | 8 h 30 min | 46 |
Keywords
Radiation
Magnetic field
Cosmic radiation
Ionizing radiation
In-flight radiation exposure
