According to a new study published on August 17 by JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers have discovered that flight attendants and pilots are at the highest risk of dying from radiation-related cancers—even more so than those who directly work with radioactive materials.
The study examined US-wide data from more than 12 million death certificates containing information about the deceased workers’ occupations, with the authors focusing on death rates from cancers that are specifically linked to radiation exposures. Among over 500 occupations, flight attendants ranked the highest in terms of largest percentage of deaths, while pilots ranked second.
Both professions require workers to be flying at high altitudes on a regular basis, meaning there is greater exposure to radiation, which is linked to a higher likelihood of dying from radiation-related cancers, as per the study.
Indeed, working in front of a computer all day has its issues, but there are other jobs out there considered highly dangerous that only experienced professionals care to tackle. Some individuals thrive on risk and are quite happy to put their life on the line on a daily basis. Others have no choice, as the environment they work in is already hazardous and unpredictable.
So, what are the most dangerous jobs in the world? Browse this gallery and get to work finding out.