Leukaemia and lymphoma mortality in the vicinity of nuclear power stations in Japan, 1973-1987

Abstract

In many countries, studies have been carried out on cancer mortality near nuclear facilities. In the present paper, we examine the standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and the relative risks (RR) of five malignant neoplasms (leukaemia, malignant lymphoma, non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and acute non-lymphatic leukaemia) for two age groups (0-14 years and all ages) during different periods (1973-1977, 1978-1982, 1983-1987 and 1973-1987) in the 18 site municipalities and in the four control municipalities selected near each nuclear power station site in Japan. For some sites, as well as for control groups, SMRs of certain malignant neoplasms were sometimes high, even before the startup of a nuclear power station. It is concluded that leukaemia and lymphoma mortality in the Japanese municipalities containing nuclear power stations is not significantly different from the control areas.