Childhood leukaemia and nuclear installations

An examination of the problems involved in the analysis of childhood leukemia incidence around nuclear sites shows that studies must be performed with care. A review of the studies reveals that prior knowledge of data has influenced the structure of some of the analyses, which leads to problems of interpretation of results. Nevertheless, evidence exists of raised rates of childhood leukemia incidence or mortality near certain installations, but the wide variety of functions associated with these establishments, and the relatively large areas over which the discharges would have to act, casts doubt on a direct causal relationship. If a non-radiological factor is involved, then its influence should be observable elsewhere. It remains to be seen whether such a factor can be detected through statistical analysis. (author)