Re: Cancer Study Continues

["Ron L. Kathren" <rkathren@tricity.wsu.edu>]

Indeed, six cases may be more than sufficient to provide statistical
validity.  One would, of course, need to know the type(s) of brain tumors,
years at risk, age of the cohort etc.  However, what may be of interest is
that an excess of malignant brain tumor fatalities were identified at the
Rocky Flats site in a study by Gregg Wilkinson and coworkers, then at LANL.
The cause was not identified although Pu was hinted.  A subsequent study of
260 USTUR registrants, all Pu workers, by Gold and Kathren at the USTUR,
published in Health Physics, showed an excess of malignant brain tumor
deaths (6 in cohort of 260).  All brain tumors were found in the subcohort
(98) from Rocky Flats.  It was simply not seen at other sites.

The conclusion was that something unique to the Rocky Flats site and not
radiation exposure caused the brain tumor excess.  My own guess is solvents,
as excess brain tumors have been found in refinery workers who are exposed
to various solvents and products of gasoline manufacture.  Hence, although
the report is not complete as indicated above, it is certainly consistent
with other studies.

Ron Kathren
-----Original Message-----
From: Sandy Perle <sandyfl@earthlink.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Date: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 7:14 AM
Subject: Cancer Study Continues


>Is 6 cancer cases out of 1700 individuals in 10 years statistically
>valid? Bernie, comments?
>
>Cancer Study Continues - (NAPERVILLE) -- Since 1989, six of the 1700
>people who work at BP-Amoco's research plant have been diagnosed with
>malignant brain cancers. Workers became suspicious something in the
>facility was causing the cancers. That is when Johns Hopkins and
>University of Alabama conducted a study. Researchers found two agents
>all the victims had in common. Ionizing radiation and the solvent N-
>Hexane. The probe has caused the company to close the labs on the
>third floor. A number of employees have filed lawsuits against BP
>Amoco.
>
>
>Sandy Perle
>E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net
>Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205
>
>"The object of opening the mind, as of opening
>the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
>              - G. K. Chesterton -
>************************************************************************
>The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
>information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html

************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html