A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted
among 1;alian commercial flight personnel for the period
1965-1996. The cohort was composed of 3,022 male cockpit
crew members and 3,418 male and 3,428 female cabin
attendants. Cause-specific standardized mortality ratios
(SMRs) and exact 95% confidence intervals (CIS) were
calculated as estimates of the relative risk. Mortality from
all cancers was less than expected for all categories (SMRs
of 0.58 for male cockpit crew, 0.67 for male cabin attendants,
and 0.90 for female cabin attendants). Among male
flight personnel, the SMR for leukemia was somewhat elevated
(SMR 1.73; 95% CI: 0.75-3.41) based on eight
deaths, with a positive trend by length of employment
( p = 0.046). Additionally, an excess of death by suicide was
seen among female cabin attendants (SMR 3.38; 95% CI:
1.24-7.35). Other Italian studies of flight personnel are
under way, including a detailed assessment of cosmic radiation
exposure and investigations of non-radiation occupational
risk factors and prevalence of'nonhtal outcomes.