Cosmic radiation is a well-known cause of single-event upsets (SEU) or disruption to electrical circuits in electronic devices. It most commonly occurs and is reported for devices such as laptop computers, cell phones, and personal digital assistants. We report on 3 patients with implantable cardiverter-defibrilators (ICDs) who experienced SEUs during air travel that may be attributed to exposure to cosmic radiation while on commercial airline flights. These cases highlight the significant impact of SEUs on ICDs and patient clinical outcomes and the need for further recognition and study of this problem.
Cosmic radiation was discovered by the Nobel Laueate Victor Hess in 1912. While studying radioactivity, he discovered the source of radioactive particles showering down through the earths atmosphere as cosmic radiation. Cosmic radiation originates from the Sun, other stars, and cataclysms in outer space, some having occurred millions of years ago and is made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons. At sea level, cosmic radiation contributes about 13% of the natural background radiation. There are 4 principal factors contributing to cosmic radiation ... 1) Altitude ... the Earths atmosphere shields cosmic radiation. At higher altitude, the shield decreases, therefore the density of cosmic radiation increases. At flying altitude, cosmic radiation is 100 times greater than at sea level, 2) Latitude ... The earths magnetic field also deflects cosmic radiation. Shielding cosmic rays is greatest at the equator and decreases at the N and S poles.
Cosmic radiation at either the north or the south pole is twice as great as at the equator. (3) Solar activity ... The sun activity cycles every 11 years with periods of high and low activity. During a quiet solar year (2007), large amounts of cosmic radiation shower down through the atmosphere.
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