[ RadSafe ] Epidemiology - New articles

[Peter Bossew]

Maybe of interest.
regards,
pb



1)
A cohort study of uranium millers and miners of Grants, New Mexico, 
1979-2005
    John D Boice Jr, Sarah S Cohen, Michael T Mumma, Bandana Chadda and 
William J Blot
    2008 J. Radiol. Prot. 28 303-325
    Abstract:  
http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/-alert=33796/0952-4746/28/3/002
    Full text PDF: 
http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-alert=33796/0952-4746/28/3/002/jrp8_3_002.pdf 


    A cohort mortality study of workers engaged in uranium milling and
    mining activities near Grants, New Mexico, during the period from
    1955 to 1990 was conducted. Vital status was determined through
    2005 and standardised mortality ratio (SMR) analyses were conducted
    for 2745 men and women alive after 1978 who were employed for at
    least six months. Overall, mortality from all causes (SMR 1.15; 95%
    CI 1.07-1.23; n = 818) and all cancers (SMR 1.22; 95% CI 1.07-1.38;
    n = 246) was greater than expected on the basis of US mortality
    rates. Increased mortality, however, was seen only among the 1735
    underground uranium miners and was due to malignant (SMR 2.17; 95%
    CI 1.75-2.65; n = 95) and non-malignant (SMR 1.64; 95% CI
    1.23-2.13; n = 55) respiratory diseases, cirrhosis of the liver
    (SMR 1.79; n = 18) and external causes (SMR 1.65; n = 58). The lung
    cancer excess likely is attributable to the historically high
    levels of radon in uranium mines of the Colorado Plateau, combined
    with the heavy use of tobacco products. No statistically
    significant elevation in any cause of death was seen among the 904
    non-miners employed at the Grants uranium mill. Among 718 mill
    workers with the greatest potential for exposure to uranium ore, no
    statistically significant increase in any cause of death of a
    priori interest was seen, i.e., cancers of the lung, kidney, liver,
    or bone, lymphoma, non-malignant respiratory disease, renal disease
    or liver disease. Although the population studied was relatively
    small, the follow-up was long (up to 50 yrs) and complete. In
    contrast to miners exposed to radon and radon decay products, for
    uranium mill workers exposed to uranium dusts and mill products
    there was no clear evidence of uranium-related disease.


2)
    Childhood leukaemia incidence below the age of 5 years near French  
nuclear power plants
    D Laurier, D He'mon and J Clavel
    2008 J. Radiol. Prot. 28 401-403
    Abstract:  
http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/-alert=33796/0952-4746/28/3/N01
    Full text PDF: 
http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/-alert=33796/0952-4746/28/3/N01/jrp8_3_N01.pdf 


    A recent study indicated an excess risk of leukaemia among children
    under the age of 5 years living in the vicinity of nuclear power
    plants in Germany. We present results relating to the incidence of
    childhood leukaemia in the vicinity of nuclear power plants in
    France for the same age range. These results do not indicate an
    excess risk of leukaemia in young children living near French
    nuclear power plants.





-- 


-----------------------------------------------------
Peter Bossew 

European Commission (EC) 
Joint Research Centre (JRC) 
Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) 

TP 441, Via Fermi 1 
21020 Ispra (VA) 
ITALY 
  
Tel. +39 0332 78 9109 
Fax. +39 0332 78 5466 
Email: peter.bossew at jrc.it 

http://rem.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
  
"The views expressed are purely those of the writer and may not in any
circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European
Commission."