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[Estimates of the statistical characteristics of solar flares of cosmic radiation in the 20th and 21st cycles of solar activity].

This paper presents the principal characteristics of solar cosmic radiation events in the 20th and 21st cycles of solar activity. A uniform row of data concerning solar cosmic radiation has been obtained. An analysis of large-scale variations of the proton intensity time profile has demonstrated that the variations are associated with the structure of the interplanetary magnetic field which depends on interplanetary shock waves. The relative "proton" geoeffectiveness of the Sun southern hemisphere is significantly lower than of the northern hemisphere in both the 20th and the 21st cycles. Empirical distributions of standard characteristics of the SCR proton intensity profile and regression relations have been derived. They can be used to predict radiation parameters of SCR events.

Cosmic Radiation↗
PubMed1999

Cytogenetic analysis in human lymphocytes after exposure to simulated cosmic radiation which reflects the inflight radiation environment.

PURPOSE: To determine the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of a mixed neutron-gamma-radiation field and its high LET component on the induction of chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human lymphocyte cultures were exposed in vitro to low doses of simulated cosmic radiation (2.39-5.81 mGy) at low dose rates (0.04-0.15 mGy/h). Chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were analysed. The RBE for dicentric chromosomes was given in comparison to 60Co gamma-rays. RESULTS: For the induction of dicentric chromosomes by simulated cosmic radiation the RBE was up to 64, and up to 113 when calculating only the high LET component. The investigation of micronuclei and SCE showed no significant differences between controls and irradiated samples. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data indicate a high biological effectiveness of cosmic radiation and its neutron component in comparison with 60Co gamma-radiation.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1989

Influence of cosmic radiation and/or microgravity on development of Carausius morosus.

Eggs of Carausius morosus were exposed to spaceflight conditions in two spaceflight missions, the German 7 day Spacelab Mission D1 and the Soviet 12.56 day Biosatellite Mission "COSMOS 1887". During spaceflight the eggs continued their development. Eggs of five different ages representing different sensitivity to radiation and different capacity to regeneration were used to investigate the influence of cosmic radiation and/or microgravity on insect development. Using the Biostack concept--eggs in monolayers sandwiched between nuclear track detectors--and the 1 g reference centrifuge of BIORACK in D1 we were able to separate effects of heavy ions of the cosmic radiation from microgravity effects and also from combined effects of these two factors in space. After retrieval, hatching rates, embryonic and larval growth kinetics and anomaly frequencies were determined. Microgravity leads to a reduced hatching rate of eggs exposed in the early stages of development. Hatching was normal in eggs which were exposed on the 1 g reference centrifuge. Hits by heavy ions caused body anomalies. The combined action of heavy ions and microgravity resulted in an unexpectedly high frequency of anomalies. These results obtained from the Spacelab Mission D1, were confirmed in an experiment onboard of COSMOS 1887. In addition to the previous analysis, embryonic development before hatching was followed which showed no major difference between flight and the ground control specimens. Since a reconfirmation of reduced hatching rates was observed in COSMOS 1887, too, the above results suggest some microgravity induced functional impairment of the hatching activity, rather than blockage in embryonic development.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗
PubMed1989

Galactic cosmic radiation exposure and associated health risks for air carrier crewmembers.

The dose equivalent to air carrier crewmembers from galactic cosmic radiation was estimated for each of 32 nonstop flights on a variety of routes to and from, or within, the contiguous United States. Flying times were from 0.4 to 13 hours. The annual dose equivalents received on the flights ranged from 0.2 to 9.1 mSv (20 to 910 mrem), or 0.4 to 18% of the recommended annual limit for occupational exposure of an adult. We reviewed some of the characteristics of galactic and solar cosmic radiation and provided example calculations for estimating radiation-induced risks of fatal cancer, genetic defects and harm to an embryo or fetus. The estimated increased risk of dying from cancer because of galactic radiation exposure received during 20 years of flying ranged from 0.1 to 5 in 1,000. For the adult U.S. population the risk of dying from cancer is about 220 in 1,000.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗
PubMed2000

Deflection of cosmic radiation near power lines--a theoretical approach.

The purpose of this work is to determine if, and to what extent, cosmic radiation can be deflected by power lines. As an alternative to experimental measurements, a computer program was developed to simulate particle trajectories. Starting from given initial values, the cosmic particles' trajectories through the electromagnetic field surrounding power lines are simulated. Particular efforts have been made to choose initial values that represent the actual physical condition of the cosmic radiation at ground level. The results show an average decrease in the particle flux density in an area below a power line and a corresponding increased flux between 12 m and 35 m on either side of the center of the power line. The average shift in flux density is, however, extremely small (less than 0.15% for low energy electrons alone, and less than 0.01% for total particle flux density) and probably not measurable with existing detector technology. The calculated particle deflection is far too small to be of any possible health significance.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2001

Cosmic radiation protection dosimetry using an Electronic personal Dosemeter (Siemens EPD) on selected international flights.

The effectiveness of an Electronic Personal Dosemeter (Siemens EPD) for cosmic-radiation dosimetry at aviation altitudes was examined on eight international flights between March and September, 1998. The EPD values (Hepd) of the dose equivalent from penetrating radiation, Hp(10), were assumed to be almost the same as the electron absorbed doses during those flights. Based on the compositions of cosmic radiation in the atmosphere and the 1977 ICRP recommendation, an empirical equation to conservatively estimate the personal dose equivalent (Hp77) at a depth of 5 cm was derived as Hp77 = 3.1 x Hepd. The personal dose equivalent (Hp90) based on the 1990 ICRP recommendation was given by Hp90 = 4.6 x Hepd; the conservative feature of Hp90 was confirmed in a comparison with the calculated effective doses by means of the CARI-6 code. It is thus expected that the EPD will be effectively used for radiation protection dosimetry on selected international flights.

Aviation↗
PubMed1997

Time series analysis supporting the hypothesis that enhanced cosmic radiation during germ cell formation can increase breast cancer mortality in germ cell cohorts.

Techniques from cancer epidemiology and time series analysis were used to explore the hypothesis that cosmic radiation can induce germ cell changes leading to increases in future breast cancer mortality. A birth cohort time series for female breast cancer mortality was obtained using a model-independent, age-period-cohort analysis on age-specific mortality data for 1940-1990. The birth cohort series contained several oscillatory components, which were isolated and compared to the corresponding frequency components of a cosmic ray surrogate time series-Greenland ice-core 10Be concentrations. A technique, referred to as component wave-train alignment, was used to show that the breast cancer and cosmic ray oscillations were phase-locked approx. 25 years before the time of birth. This is consistent with the time of germ cell formation, which occurs during the fetal development stage of the preceding generation. Evidence is presented that the observable oscillations in the birth cohort series were residues of oscillations of much larger amplitude in the germ cell cohort, which were attenuated by the effect of the broad maternal age distribution. It is predicted that a minimum of 50% of breast cancer risk is associated with germ cell damage by cosmic radiation (priming event), which leads to the development of individuals with a higher risk of breast cancer. It is proposed that the priming event, by preceding other steps of carcinogenesis, works in concert with risk factor exposure during life. The priming event is consistent with epigenetic changes such as imprinting.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Preliminary study of gene expression levels in human T-cells exposed to cosmic radiations.

Several experiments demonstrated the influence of microgravity on mitogenic activation of T cells at molecular level. To discriminate between effects of microgravity and cosmic radiations, in this work we studied the effects of high cosmic radiations on the genetic expression in human T cells boarded in a stratospheric balloon (BIRBA-1 mission, 22 hours of flight). The genetic expression was analyzed by the cDNA microarray hybridization technology, which allows the comparative and simultaneous estimate of hundreds of mRNAs Activated cells react to the ionizing stress by activating genes involved in cell cycle check-point, oxidative stress response, heat shock proteins production or by repressing genes involved in antigen recognition.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Biological effects of cosmic radiation: deterministic and stochastic.

Our basic understanding of the biological responses to cosmic radiations comes in large part from an international series of ground-based laboratory studies, where accelerators have provided the source of representative charged particle radiations. Most of the experimental studies have been performed using acute exposures to a single radiation type at relatively high doses and dose rates. However, most exposures in flight occur from low doses of mixed radiation fields at low-dose rates. This paper provides a brief overview of existing pertinent clinical and biological radiation data and the limitations associated with data available from specific components of the radiation fields in airflight and space travel.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed1996

An assessment of galactic cosmic radiation quality considering heavy ion track structures within the cellular environment.

Beyond the magnetic influence of the Earth, the flux of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) represents a radiological concern for long-term manned space missions. Current concepts of radiation quality and equivalent dose are inadequate for accurately specifying the relative biological "efficiency" of low doses of such heavily ionising radiations, based as they are on the single parameter of Linear Energy Transfer (LET). Such methods take no account of the mechanisms, nor of the highly inhomogeneous spatial structure, of energy deposition in radiation tracks. DNA damage in the cell nucleus, which ultimately leads to the death or transformation of the cell, is usually initiated by electrons liberated from surrounding molecules by the incident projectile ion. The characteristics of these emitted "delta-rays", dependent primarily upon the charge and velocity of the ion, are considered in relation to an idealised representation of the cellular environment. Theoretically calculated delta-ray energy spectra are multiplied by a series of weighting algorithms designed to represent the potential for DNA insult in this environment, both in terms of the quantity and quality of damage. By evaluating the resulting curves, and taking into account the energy spectra of heavy ions in space, a relative measure of the biological relevance of the most abundant GCR species is obtained, behind several shielding configurations. It is hoped that this method of assessing the radiation quality of galactic cosmic rays will be of value when considering the safety of long-term manned space missions.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1994

Long-term modulation of Galactic Cosmic Radiation and its model for space exploration.

As the human exploration of space has received new attention in the United States, studies find that exposure to space radiation could adversely impact the mission design. Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR), with its very wide range of charges and energies, is particularly important for a mission to Mars, because it imposes a stiff mass penalty for spacecraft shielding. Dose equivalent versus shielding thickness calculations, show a rapid initial drop in exposure with thickness, but an asymptotic behavior at a higher shielding thickness. Uncertainties in the radiobiology are largely unknown. For a fixed radiation risk, this leads to large uncertain ties in shielding thickness for small uncertainties in estimated dose. In this paper we investigate the application of steady-state, spherically-symmetric diffusion-convection theory of solar modulation to individual measurements of differential energy spectra from 1954 to 1989 in order to estimate the diffusion coefficient, kappa (r,t), as a function of time. We have correlated the diffusion coefficient to the Climax neutron monitor rates and show that, if the diffusion coefficient can be separated into independent functions of space and time: kappa (-r,t)=K(t)kappa 0 beta P kappa 1(r), where beta is the particle velocity and P the rigidity, then (i) The time dependent quantity 1/K(t), which is proportional to the deceleration potential, phi(r,t), is linearly related to the Climax neutron monitor counting rate. (ii) The coefficients obtained from hydrogen or helium intensity measurements are the same. (iii) There are different correlation functions for odd and even solar cycles. (iv) The correlation function for the Climax neutron monitor counting rate for given time, t, can be used to estimate mean deceleration parameter phi(t) to within +/- 15% with 90% confidence. We have shown that kappa(r,t) determined from hydrogen and/or helium data, can be used to fit the oxygen and iron differential energy spectra with a root mean square error of about +/- 10%, and essentially independent of the particle charge or energy. We have also examined the ion chamber and 14C measurements which allow the analysis to be extended from the year 1906 to 1990. Using this model we have defined reference GCR spectra at solar minimum and solar maximum. These can be used for space exploration studies and provide a quantitative estimate of the error in dose due to changes in GCR intensities.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗
PubMed2000

The NIOSH/FAA Working Women's Health Study: evaluation of the cosmic-radiation exposures of flight attendants. Federal Aviation Administration.

Air crew are exposed to elevated levels of cosmic ionizing radiation of galactic and solar origin and are among the more highly exposed occupational groups to ionizing radiation in the United States. Depending on flight route patterns, the annual dose may range from 0.2 to 5 mSv. By comparison, the average annual radiation dose equivalent of occupationally exposed adults in the United States is estimated to be 1.1 mSv. Cosmic-radiation dose depends primarily on altitude and geomagnetic latitude and to a lesser degree on solar activity. Although the International Commission on Radiological Protection has recommended that air crew exposures to natural radiation in-flight be treated as occupational exposures, United States flight crew exposures to natural cosmic radiation are not regulated or typically monitored. There are approximately 148,000 air crew (flight deck crew and flight attendants) in the United States.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Study of the dosimetric characteristics of cosmic radiation at civil aviation altitudes.

The dependence of the doses on solar activity for intermediate levels of the solar modulation parameter has been studied by means of simulations carried out by the Monte Carlo transport code FLUKA. The vertical cut-off rigidities investigated lie between 0.4 and 6.1 GV. The calculated results show that the linear dependence proposed in a previous work, for the effective dose rate as a function of the solar modulation parameter, can be considered as an acceptable approximation. In addition, some dosimetric characteristics of cosmic radiation and some properties of the dosemeters in use for monitoring in the cosmic ray environment have been analysed with a view to simplifying measurements. The depth-dose curves in the ICRU sphere and the response of a tissue-equivalent ionisation chamber have been determined by the FLUKA code for a number of cosmic ray spectra On the basis of the calculated results, it is concluded that a value of the depth. d, which would make the ambient dose equivalent a conservative predictor of the effective dose, cannot be specified for cosmic radiation. However, the operational quantity can be useful in order to verify the predictions of Monte Carlo calculations. It is demonstrated that a crude approximation of the ambient dose equivalent could be obtained by multiplying by 2 the absorbed dose measured by a tissue-equivalent ionisation chamber with wall thickness of 10 mm.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1990

Linear energy transfer (LET) spectra of cosmic radiation in low Earth orbit.

Integral linear energy transfer (LET) spectra of cosmic radiation (CR) particles were measured on five Cosmos series spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO). Particular emphasis is placed on results of the Cosmos 1887 biosatellite which carried a set of joint U.S.S.R.-U.S.A. radiation experiments involving passive detectors that included thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs), plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTDs), fission foils, nuclear photo-emulsions, etc. which were located both inside and outside the spacecraft. Measured LET spectra are compared with those theoretically calculated. Results show that there is some dependence of LET spectra on orbital parameters. The results are used to estimate the CR quality factor (QF) for the Cosmos 1887 mission.

Cosmic Radiation↗
PubMed2001

Measurements of the high energy neutron component of cosmic radiation fields in aircraft using etched track dosemeters.

Measurements of the complex cosmic radiation field in aircraft at altitude are made with a passive survey meter comprising routine-use thermoluminescent detectors and etched track detectors. The energy dependence of response of the etched track detectors used to determine the neutron component has been characterized, partly, up to a neutron energy of 180 MeV. The neutron detectors are routinely calibrated in the CERN/EC Reference Field. The 15% determination level for total dose equivalent is 100 microSv. The evidence is that the passive survey meter provides a reliable determination of route dose.

Aircraft↗
PubMed2004

Study of the ratio of non-neutron to neutron dose components of cosmic radiation at typical commercial flight altitudes.

CIEMAT, in close co-operation with Iberia Airlines, carried out an extensive programme of in-flight measurements, covering both hemispheres, during the years 2001 and 2002. Although the instrumentation onboard included different active devices, the results presented here were obtained from a polyethylene/tungsten-moderated rem meter (SWENDI2; Eberline) and an ionisation chamber (RSS-131; Reuter-Stokes) used for measuring the ambient dose equivalent due to the neutron and the non-neutron components of cosmic radiation, respectively. This paper presents a study of each of the dose components mentioned as a function of the vertical cut-off rigidity and the flight altitude. The ratio between the two components is also presented to determine the variations in cosmic radiation composition as a function of the aforementioned parameters. The experimental results have also been compared with those predicted by the code EPCARD3.2 for the non-neutron and the neutron components of the ambient dose equivalent.

Aircraft↗