Recent epidemiological studies on ionizing radiation and childhood cancer in Germany

Abstract

Purpose: The results from recent epidemiological studies based on the German Childhood Cancer Registry are summarized. Materials and methods: An oecological study covers 16 years' incidence of childhood malignancies in areas surrounding nuclear facilities and in matched control regions. Two population-based case-control studies explore potential risk factors of childhood leukaemia in the state of Lower Saxony (1988-93) and in all western states of Germany (1992-94). Results: There was no increased incidence of childhood leukaemia and other malignancies in the vicinity of nuclear installations. X-ray examinations during pregnancy and in early childhood were not associated with an increased risk of childhood leukaemia. There were no data to support Gardner's hypothesis of an increased risk due to paternal pre-conception exposure to ionizing radiation. Following the Chernobyl accident, the reported incidence of neuroblastoma and infant leukaemia was increased. The increase cannot be explained by exposures due to the accident. Conclusions: Although the carcinogenic effect of ionizing radiation is well known, the recent population-based epidemiological studies show that under current conditions exposure to ionizing radiation in Germany does not constitute risks of childhood malignancies that are relevant to public health.