The risk of cancer among nuclear workers at the 'Mayak' production association: Preliminary results of an epidemiological study

Studies of nuclear workers can provide useful supplementary information on radiation risks, since these studies have a number of advantages. Availability of measured individual doses, standardized medical care provided for nuclear workers, long-term preservation of archival medical and personnel documents are among these advantages. The authors are presenting preliminary results of an epidemiological study of workers at the 'Mayak' Production Association (PA). 'Mayak' PA, which started operations in 1948, and was the first military nuclear complex in Russia. It is located in what was once called Chelyabinsk-65 and is now called Ozyorsk in the Southern Urals. From the beginning of its operation, the 'Mayak' PA included nuclear reactors, a radiochemical plant and a plant for standard plutonium production. Working conditions at these plants in the first years of their operation resulted in a considerable proportion of workers being exposed to high doses of radiation. A wide range of radiation doses, both external and internal delivered at low dose rate, makes the cohort of Mayak's workers potentially important for the purpose of radiation risk assessment