Childhood Leukemia and Proximity to Nuclear Power Plants

From Environmental Health Perspectives:

Since the first report of increased childhood leukemia rates around Britain’s Sellafield nuclear power plant (NPP) in 1983, controversy has surrounded the possible link between the disease and proximity to nuclear reactors. Twenty‐five years later the debate rages on, with different studies yielding seemingly contradictory findings. A public sensitized to the dangers of nuclear power might well ask the question: why aren’t we sure by now?

“The many studies that have been performed are difficult to compare because of differences in their methodology,” explains John Bithell, honorary visiting fellow at the Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford. These differences include the age groups studied, the geographical areas considered, and potential confounding factors such as socioeconomic status.

Read more