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Re: solar radiation and the developing fetusFrom: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)Wed, 29 Mar 2000 11:32:34 -0600 (CST)
At Wed, 29 Mar 2000, Krista wrote: > >I am planning to become pregnant. Should I be concerned about any >possibility of chromosomal damage to the developing fetus caused by >solar radiation during air travel? I had heard on a science radio >program that flying at 37,000 ft cruising altitude can cause exposure to >soalr radiation equivalent to 3-4 chest x-rays. > >-- >Krista > There is no data available on this potential with regard to flying. There was some interesting work done by a colleage of mine by the name of Bernd Schumaker who looked into the effects of the hypoxia (lower oxygen) associated with flying, on a pregnancy. As you may or may not be aware, cabin pressures are equivalent to approximately 10,000 feet. Naturally this creates a degree of hypoxia. His work was done in a pressure tank, in a lab setting, but did show that there may be a significant effect on repeated exposure (for instance an overseas flight attendant). As I recall, the airlines were not eager to participate in this work...
-- Lynn D. Montgomery, MD Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center Missoula, Montana
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