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Assessing exposure to cosmic radiation aboard aircraft: the SIEVERT system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2005

J. F. Bottollier-Depois
Affiliation:
IRSN, B.P. 17, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
A. Biau
Affiliation:
IRSN, B.P. 17, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
P. Blanchard
Affiliation:
Air France, B.P. 10201, 95703 Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, France
I. Clairand
Affiliation:
IRSN, B.P. 17, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
P. Dessarps
Affiliation:
Direction générale de l'aviation civile, 50 rue Henry-Farman, 75020 Paris, France
P. Lantos
Affiliation:
Observatoire de Paris, 92195 Meudon, France
D. Saint-Lô
Affiliation:
IRSN, B.P. 17, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
M. Valero
Affiliation:
IRSN, B.P. 17, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Abstract

The study of naturally-occurring radiation and its associated risk is one of the preoccupations of bodies responsible for radiation protection. Cosmic particle flux is significantly higher on board aircraft that at ground level. Furthermore, its intensity depends on solar activity and eruptions. Due to their professional activity, flight crews and frequent flyers may receive an annual dose of some millisieverts. This is why the European directive adopted in 1996 requires the aircraft operators to assess the dose and to inform their flight crews about the risk. The effective dose is to be estimated using various experimental and calculation means. In France, the computerized system for flight assessment of exposure to cosmic radiation in air transport (SIEVERT) is delivered to airlines for assisting them in the application of the European directive. This dose assessment tool was developed by the French General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) and partners: the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), the Paris Observatory and the French Institute for Polar Research - Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV). This professional service is available on an Internet server accessible to companies with a public section. The system provides doses that consider the routes flown by aircraft. Various results obtained are presented.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2003

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