Using sunblock on the flight deck?
11-09-2018 | 07:14 PM
#22
Get me outta here...
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Boeing right seat
Yup.
In March, I met the founder of Method Seven sunglasses, James Cox, at a social event and we talked for about an hour. As the creator of new brand of high-end performance aviation eyewear, he has spent a significant amount of time and money researching what the windows in various airliners protect against. He knew a LOT about airline windows.
When I told him I was on the 737, he immediately said "your front windscreens offer good protection... but you better wear long sleeves and put a high-quality sunscreen on your neck and face, because the two side windows offer no protection at all."
In March, I met the founder of Method Seven sunglasses, James Cox, at a social event and we talked for about an hour. As the creator of new brand of high-end performance aviation eyewear, he has spent a significant amount of time and money researching what the windows in various airliners protect against. He knew a LOT about airline windows.
When I told him I was on the 737, he immediately said "your front windscreens offer good protection... but you better wear long sleeves and put a high-quality sunscreen on your neck and face, because the two side windows offer no protection at all."
11-10-2018 | 04:43 AM
#25
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 52
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I believe that the increased skin cancer risk for crew has more to do with lifestyle, ie lots of time off and opportunity to spend time outdoors. I and a close family member have health physics backgrounds, and have done the analysis based on known risk tables.
Some specifics...
1) Cosmic radiation at altitude will cause a very slight but noticeable increase in risk of cancers associated with hard radiation exposure. We did the math based on my exposure as a domestic pilot. It would be a bit higher for long-haul due to:
a) Higher cruise altitudes
b) More time spent there (very high percentage of block time at cruise altitude).
c) Commonly cruising at higher latitudes, cosmic radiation gets funneled towards the poles by the earth's magnetic field (ex northern lights).
2) UVB is known to cause skin cancer, especially melanoma. UVB does not really penetrate modern glass windows in a jet.
3) UVA has less risk of skin cancer, but is known to cause aging of your skin. UVA can penetrate our windows, although layers of glass probably cut it down a bit. UVA also contributes to fatigue.
4) Older planes, and GA planes, with plastic windows, don't block much UV at all... you might as well be at the beach. I have a little more noticeable skin aging on my left side, despite being an FO and having spent most of my career as an FO. But I was a CA on a turboprop with poly side windows for a few years...
I use sunblock on my face when flying (daylight). I used to use it on my neck and arms but it turns shirt sleeves and collars yellow. That's mostly so I don't edge up aged more on one side than the other. Can't stop aging, but I'd prefer it be symmetrical
The radiation exposure calculations we did years ago were based on risk tables from the medical community. Newer studies might change that data.
Some specifics...
1) Cosmic radiation at altitude will cause a very slight but noticeable increase in risk of cancers associated with hard radiation exposure. We did the math based on my exposure as a domestic pilot. It would be a bit higher for long-haul due to:
a) Higher cruise altitudes
b) More time spent there (very high percentage of block time at cruise altitude).
c) Commonly cruising at higher latitudes, cosmic radiation gets funneled towards the poles by the earth's magnetic field (ex northern lights).
2) UVB is known to cause skin cancer, especially melanoma. UVB does not really penetrate modern glass windows in a jet.
3) UVA has less risk of skin cancer, but is known to cause aging of your skin. UVA can penetrate our windows, although layers of glass probably cut it down a bit. UVA also contributes to fatigue.
4) Older planes, and GA planes, with plastic windows, don't block much UV at all... you might as well be at the beach. I have a little more noticeable skin aging on my left side, despite being an FO and having spent most of my career as an FO. But I was a CA on a turboprop with poly side windows for a few years...
I use sunblock on my face when flying (daylight). I used to use it on my neck and arms but it turns shirt sleeves and collars yellow. That's mostly so I don't edge up aged more on one side than the other. Can't stop aging, but I'd prefer it be symmetrical
The radiation exposure calculations we did years ago were based on risk tables from the medical community. Newer studies might change that data.
https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb
Another thing—-all those claims of UV protection for your sunglasses is a bunch of crap. I’d be surprised if they block anything.
And our sunscreens are crap in the US,
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report...er-sunscreens/
11-10-2018 | 06:18 AM
#26
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,944
Likes: 708
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I’ve read just the opposite, UVA causes the skin cancer and UVB the burns.
https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb
Another thing—-all those claims of UV protection for your sunglasses is a bunch of crap. I’d be surprised if they block anything.
And our sunscreens are crap in the US,
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report...er-sunscreens/
https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb
Another thing—-all those claims of UV protection for your sunglasses is a bunch of crap. I’d be surprised if they block anything.
And our sunscreens are crap in the US,
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report...er-sunscreens/
UVA causes aging and now there is more noise about it causing non-melanoma skin cancers (which are far less serious, melanoma is the real bogey-man).
But either way, I use sunblock.
11-10-2018 | 08:13 AM
#28
Line Holder
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 6
From: Airbus 320 Right Seat
Was told the same . I get skin checked nearly every year and she said the same has to be a sink product for best results. I use it nearly every time I fly as long as I remember to do so.
Can’t hurt. Does ’t it protect me from everything ?, prob not.
Can’t hurt. Does ’t it protect me from everything ?, prob not.
11-10-2018 | 08:35 AM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
11-10-2018 | 09:27 PM
#30
Get me outta here...
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,541
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From: Boeing right seat
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