A French court in Bayonne has, for the first time, recognised cosmic radiation as a factor contributing to a flight attendant's breast cancer, in a landmark occupational disease ruling. Sophie Lainault, a 59-year-old former Air France stewardess, brought the case after developing breast cancer, and the court found that cosmic radiation, passive smoking and prolonged night work were all carcinogenic hazards linked to her profession. Lawyers say the ruling establishes breast cancer as an officially recognised occupational risk for flight crews, potentially opening the door to further claims from other cabin crew.

Lainault flew for Air France between 1989 and 2019, accumulating 12,600 flight hours, more than half at night, including long-haul routes near the North Pole where cosmic radiation exposure is strongest. She is now in remission and can take early retirement with future treatment fully covered by the French health system. A recent Harvard Medical School study found flight attendants and pilots had the highest rates of radiation-related cancer deaths among over 500 professions studied, at 6.9% and 6.7% of deaths respectively. Air France said it played no part in the case and stressed staff health was "an absolute imperative."