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12 July 2005 - Worldwide Study into Low
Dose Ionising Radiation
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A retrospective cohort study, involving 15 countries across the
World such as, the UK, USA, France, Lithuania, Sweden, Canada, Australia,
Finland, Spain and France has taken place, with regards to the low dose ionising
radiation exposure and it's link to increased risks of cancer fatalities in the
workplace.
The study looked at the risk of cancer after being exposed to
low doses of ionising radiation and has been published by The British Medical
Journal.
The World Health Organization (WHO), co-ordinating the study's,
International Agency for Research on Cancer (ARC) evaluated what risks of
contracting cancer there were when exposed to the consequence of low-level
exposure to high energy photon, gamma-ray, radiation.
The study not only looked at exposure in the workplace, but also
estimated the relevance to risk within the general public. Exposure
to environmental doses of low-level radiation, such as from household radon
gases, over a long period of time was also a factor taken into account by the
study.
The outcome of the study suggests that there was "a small but
significant" increase of 1% to 2% in cancer mortality due to the low-dose, low
dose-rate worker study where radiation exposure may have been the cause.
This figure includes Leukaemia.
Commenting on the results of the studies, the Director of the
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) said:
"These results provide the most precise and comprehensive
direct estimates of cancer risk after protracted exposure to low doses of
ionising radiation; they strengthen the scientific basis of radiation protection
standards for environmental, occupational, and medical diagnostic exposures.
They support current evidence on the carcinogenic potential of ionising
radiation yet provide reassurance concerning the likely impact of ionising
radiation on the global cancer burden."
The IARC Radiation Group stated:
"There has been a controversy for decades about the use of
data on A-bomb survivors for setting standards for the protection of the general
public and radiation workers. There was therefore a need for a direct assessment
of the carcinogenic effects of low-dose exposures to evaluate the adequacy of
these standards."
The 15 country study can be accessed by clicking the following:
Result: Cancer risk following low doses of ionising radiation--a 15-country
study
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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