Post by Joe Neubarth on Dec 21, 2011 18:10:34 GMT -5
Elevated childhood cancer incidence proximate to U.S.
nuclear power plants.
From: Archives of Environmental Health | Date: 2/1/2003 | Author: Chang, Carolyn; Dave, Amie;
Feinberg, Elyssa; Frimer, Marina; Mangano, Joseph J.; Sherman,
Numerous reports document elevated cancer rates among children living near
nuclear facilities in various nations. Little research has examined U.S. rates near the
nation's 103 operating reactors. This study determined that cancer incidence for children
< 10 yr of age who live within 30 mi (48 km) of each of 14 nuclear plants in the eastern
United States (49 counties with a population > 16.8 million) exceeds the national
average. The excess 12.4% risk suggests that 1 in 9 cancers among children who reside
near nuclear reactors is linked to radioactive emissions. If cancer incidence in 5 western
states is used as a baseline, the ratio is closer to 1 in 5. Incidence is particularly elevated
for leukemia.
IONIZING RADIATION poses a significant health risk to fetuses, infants, and children.
Pelvic X-rays delivered to pregnant mothers raise cancer risk during childhood, (1,2) and
increased background radiation is associated with elevated cancer levels among
exposed children. (3-5) Ingestion of fission products is also linked with elevated
childhood cancer levels. Temporal increases in leukemia and other cancers have been
documented among children living near sites where large-scale atomic weapons tests
were conducted in the 1950s and 1960s. (6-9) Thyroid cancer incidence rose sharply
among children living in Belarus (especially the Gomel region) and the Ukraine after the
1986 accident at the Chernobyl plant. (10-12) Elevated thyroid cancer incidence in
children in Belgium and northern England after the Chernobyl accident has also been
reported.
www.c-10.org/pdf/Elevated%20childhood%20cancer%20incidence%20proximate%20to%20U.pdf
nuclear power plants.
From: Archives of Environmental Health | Date: 2/1/2003 | Author: Chang, Carolyn; Dave, Amie;
Feinberg, Elyssa; Frimer, Marina; Mangano, Joseph J.; Sherman,
Numerous reports document elevated cancer rates among children living near
nuclear facilities in various nations. Little research has examined U.S. rates near the
nation's 103 operating reactors. This study determined that cancer incidence for children
< 10 yr of age who live within 30 mi (48 km) of each of 14 nuclear plants in the eastern
United States (49 counties with a population > 16.8 million) exceeds the national
average. The excess 12.4% risk suggests that 1 in 9 cancers among children who reside
near nuclear reactors is linked to radioactive emissions. If cancer incidence in 5 western
states is used as a baseline, the ratio is closer to 1 in 5. Incidence is particularly elevated
for leukemia.
IONIZING RADIATION poses a significant health risk to fetuses, infants, and children.
Pelvic X-rays delivered to pregnant mothers raise cancer risk during childhood, (1,2) and
increased background radiation is associated with elevated cancer levels among
exposed children. (3-5) Ingestion of fission products is also linked with elevated
childhood cancer levels. Temporal increases in leukemia and other cancers have been
documented among children living near sites where large-scale atomic weapons tests
were conducted in the 1950s and 1960s. (6-9) Thyroid cancer incidence rose sharply
among children living in Belarus (especially the Gomel region) and the Ukraine after the
1986 accident at the Chernobyl plant. (10-12) Elevated thyroid cancer incidence in
children in Belgium and northern England after the Chernobyl accident has also been
reported.
www.c-10.org/pdf/Elevated%20childhood%20cancer%20incidence%20proximate%20to%20U.pdf