Scientists have found no increase in cancer rates among young people living near two major UK nuclear power stations, it was announced today.
A team from Oxford and Newcastle Universities, UK, looked at cancer rates between 1963 and 2006 among people aged under 25, i.e. born since the 1990s, living near Sellafield or Dounreay power stations.
Rates from 1991 to 2006 were comparable with the general population, showing no rise in risk.
The study is published in the British Journal of Cancer today (23 July).
Team leader, Kathryn Bunch, says: "For many years, there have been concerns over the potential raised cancer risk among people – particularly children – who live near nuclear installations. This study found that children, teenagers and young adults living close to Sellafield and Dounreay are no longer at an increased risk of developing cancer."
She adds: "Furthermore, there is no evidence of any increased risk of cancer later in life for those who were born near these power plants."
Commenting on the findings, Dr Julie Sharp of Cancer Research UK, added: "There has been a lot of concern that nuclear power stations could increase the risk of cancer, particularly leukaemia. This study is reassuring for anyone who happens to be living near a power plant, as it shows no increased risk among children, teenagers or young adults in recent years."
The government committee overseeing radiation in the environment recommends that rates of childhood leukaemia and other cancers in the vicinity of Sellafield and Dounreay should be kept under surveillance, particularly "in the light of current plans to expand the number of nuclear power stations".
Bunch, K. J. et al. Updated investigations of cancer excesses in individuals born or resident in the vicinity of Sellafield and Dounreay. British Journal of Cancer 23 July 2013
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