Cancer incidence and mortality in the vicinity of nuclear installations England and Wales 1959-1980

Incidence and mortality data for England and Wales are considered. The position, function and date of start-up of the various nuclear installations are described, together with an indication of the nature of discharges and of dose levels received in the close vicinity. The literature on the relationship between ionizing radiation and the risk of cancer is reviewed. Consideration is given to the effect of radiation relative to other environmental factors, to knowledge derived from high-dose level exposure studies, concerning sites of malignancy or sensitive age groups, and to studies of low-dose radiation effects from background radiation, occupational exposures, diagnostic and in utero exposures, nuclear weapon testing and nuclear installation discharges. Indications of public reactions are summarized and knowledge of low-level radiation risks compared with risk from other hazards. Study methods are described in detail and specific difficulties of interpretation of present data are discussed. (U.K.)