UK govenment announce review of radiation risk models

>From the NW Evening Mail, 1 Aug 01:

THE health risks from living near nuclear power stations like Sellafield
and
power lines will be investigated by a group set up by the government.
Environment minister Michael Meacher announced a working group will examine
the
effects of internal radiation emitters - radiation particles which are
swallowed
or breathed in.

It will aim to settle the dispute over whether power stations such as
Sellafield
have directly created clusters of leukaemia or other cancers in people
living
nearby.

It will also examine the controversial debate over what harmful effects
living
close to power lines have on human health.

The group will consider the present risk models for radiation and health
that
apply to exposure from radiation from internal radionuclides in the light
of
recent studies and any further research that might be needed.

It will sit for six months before holding a discussion seminar.

Mr Meacher said: "There are significant differences of view among experts
about
the precise impacts of the ingestion of radionuclides and these need to be
resolved.

"This new working group will reach across all parties in the debate on
risks of
radiation, to assess the impact and reach a consensus on whether the
current
risk models continue to be valid."

The government's independent Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in
the
Environment (Comare) was asked to establish the working group.

Professor Bryn Bridges, chairman of Comare, said: "The government has
recently
given chairmen of scientific advisory committees the responsibility of
ensuring
that all views are heard and taken into account when committees formulate
their
advice.

"The risk from internal radioactivity is an area where, despite broad
international consensus, there are several dissenting and sometimes
mutually
opposed viewpoints.

"The working group will provide a real challenge to the holders of all
viewpoints to argue their case and try to reach agreement.

"Comare regards this as an important consultative exercise and will be
listening
carefully to the proceedings."

The full text of the press release can be found at the following address: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2001/010731b.htm

I'm not sure of the full background to this announcement yet, but I believe it is due in part to some intense lobbying by a group known as the Green Audit who claim that the risks from intakes of radioactive material have been grossly underestimated. I await with interest further information on the make up and remit of this working party. COMARE have in the past reviewed the incidence of leukaemia around both Sellafield and Dounreay and the possible links to discharges of radioactive material from the plants. As with other studies of this type no link was identified.