The risk of childhood leukaemia near nuclear establishments

Childhood leukaemia has been reported to be increased in communities living near a number of nuclear sites in the United Kingdom. The National Radiological Protection Board has, over the last three and a half years, published the results of a series of studies giving radiation doses and risks calculated for some of these populations. The studies have all indicated that it is most unlikely that radiation doses arising from releases of radioactive materials into the environment could have contributed to any increase in the leukaemia incidence in local communities. In the absence of any other obvious causative agent, however, there remains some concern that the radiation doses and risks of leukaemia have been underestimated. This report, therefore, summarises the methods used in the analyses by the Board, examines possible sources of uncertainty in the calculations, and considers the extent to which more information is required. (author)