Solid-tumor mortality in the vicinity of uranium cycle facilities and nuclear power plants in Spain.

Abstract

To ascertain solid tumor mortality in towns near Spain's four nuclear power plants and four nuclear fuel facilities from 1975 to 1993, we conducted a mortality study based on 12,245 cancer deaths in 283 towns situated within a 30-km radius of the above installations. As nonexposed areas, we used 275 towns lying within a 50- to 100-km radius of each installation, matched by population size and sociodemographic characteristics (income level, proportion of active population engaged in farming, proportion of unemployed, percentage of illiteracy, and province). Using log-linear models, we examined relative risk for each area and trends in risk with increasing proximity to an installation. The results reveal a pattern of solid-tumor mortality in the vicinity of uranium cycle facilities, basically characterized by excess lung [relative risk (RR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.25] and renal cancer mortality (RR 1.37, 95% CI, 1.07-1.76). Besides the effects of natural radiation, these results could well be evincing the influence on public health exerted by the environmental impact of mining. No such well-defined pattern appeared in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. Monitoring of cancer incidence and mortality is recommended in areas surrounding nuclear fuel facilities and nuclear power plants, and more specific studies are called for in areas adjacent to installations that have been fully operational for longer periods. In this regard, it is important to use dosimetric information in all future studies.

Brain cancer incidence rates and the presence of nuclear reactors in US states: a hypothesis-generating study

“…Numerous studies indicate that nuclear workers have an increased risk of brain cancer (e.g., Alexander 1991 ; Qu et al 2018 ; Schubauer-Berigan et al 2005 )) although not all studies show this ( Boice et al 2006 ; Dupree-Ellis et al 2000 ; Hunter et al 2013 ; Kreuzer et al 2015 ; Loomis & Wolf 1996 ; Lopez-Abente et al 2001 ). It is unlikely that the size of the nuclear work force would be sufficient to substantially raise brain cancer incidence rates at the state level.…”

“…The issue of increased risks of cancer in the vicinity of nuclear facilities has been studied extensively (e.g., Boice et al 2006 ; Lopez-Abente et al 2001 ; Wing et al 2011 )). A comprehensive survey by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) did not show increased mortality from cancer, including brain and nervous system cancers, for individuals living in US counties containing nuclear facilities vs. populations living in adjacent counties without such facilities ( Jablon et al 1991 ).…”

A radiological index for evaluating the impact of an abandoned uranium mining area in Salamanca, Western Spain

“…Las consecuencias de no rehabilitar una escombrera son la dispersión del polvo con alto contenido radiactivo, por erosión o por ruptura de las posibles barrerasde contención, siendo la acción de agua el principal factor de los incidentes en las minas abandonadas (Strachan and Goodwin, 2015). Esta dispersión provoca el aumento significativo de la tasa de dosis anual efectiva en dichas áreas (Quindós Poncela et al, 2004b) y como consecuencia una mayor incidencia de cáncer de pulmón y riñón en dichas zonas (López-Abente et al, 2001).Por otra parte, la inmovilización de los radionucleidos en la capa superficial del suelo supone un problema medioambiental para la salud humana ya que son fácilmente integrados en la cadena alimenticia (Cazzola et al, 2004). De igual forma, la inhalación de uranio, radio y torio puede producir numerosos tipos de cáncer (hueso, nasal, pulmón, páncreas, hígado, riñón y médula) (Linsalata, 1994;Taskin et al, 2009).…”

Cancer incidence in adults living in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in France, based on data from the French Network of Cancer Registries

“…More generally, most studies both in and outside France have focused on the incidence of leukemia among children living near NPPs, [4][5][6][7][9][10][11][12][13][14] while only a few have analyzed adult cancer around them. [10][11][12][13][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Some of the latter, focused on single nuclear installations, have observed higher than expected numbers of leukemia and of kidney and lung cancers. [11][12][13]15,17 To examine the incidence of cancer in adults living around NPPs in France and improve our understanding of the technical challenges related to health surveillance in the vicinity of NPPs, Sant e Publique France, the national public health agency, conducted an ecologic investigation.…”

“…[10][11][12][13][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Some of the latter, focused on single nuclear installations, have observed higher than expected numbers of leukemia and of kidney and lung cancers. [11][12][13]15,17 To examine the incidence of cancer in adults living around NPPs in France and improve our understanding of the technical challenges related to health surveillance in the vicinity of NPPs, Sant e Publique France, the national public health agency, conducted an ecologic investigation. The objective of this analysis is to describe cancer incidence in adults living within a radius of 20 km around NPPs in districts covered by adult cancer registries.…”