Child cancer risk higher near nuclear plants: study

[bananas]

Source: Reuters

BERLIN (Reuters) - A German study has found that young children living near nuclear power plants have a significantly higher risk of developing leukemia and other forms of cancer, a German newspaper reported on Saturday.

"Our study confirmed that in Germany a connection has been observed between the distance of a domicile to the nearest nuclear power plant .... and the risk of developing cancer, such as leukemia, before the fifth birthday," Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper quoted the report as saying.

The newspaper said the study was done by the University of Mainz for Germany's Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BFS). A copy of the report was not immediately available.

<snip>

The newspaper cited an unnamed radiation protection expert familiar with the study who said its conclusions understated the problem. He said the data showed there was an increased cancer risk for children living within 50 kilometers of a reactor.

<snip>

Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/health/idINL0867723820071208

[Pavulon]

1. That should be very easy to prove or disprove

with a map and statistical data. France and the US should be able to reproduce this observation if there is a connection.

[ClayZ]

2. We were raised near Hanford Wa.

Both my parents worked there beginning in 1946.

My brother died of leukemia at 54. He was diagnosed with cancer of a lymph gland at 11 years old.

My mom had kidney cancer, lymphoma, skin cancer and colon cancer. She is still alive and doing quite well. My dad had esophageal cancer and skin cancer. His surgery left him to tube feed for the rest of his life. Both were recently compensated by the government for their illnesses.

Hells Bells!

I stay away from Doctors. :crazy:

[Bobbieo]

3. Take a look at the cancer rate stats on the Navajo Rez since WW2

for the "downwinders" and those who worked or lived near uranium mines.

[NickB79]

4. Germany is currently phasing out their nuclear reactors

Unfortunately, then are replacing them with over 20 coal-fired plants, and will be importing 66 MILLION tons of coal per year from South Africa by 2020.

I wonder how many people will die from that switch?

[Teaser]

5. Could be income level

I would wager that the incomes of people living closer to nuke plants are lower than those living far away.

[LisaL]

7. Ever heard of radiation?

[Teaser]

8. Ever heard of a fucking confounding variable?

try thinking like a scientist.

[LisaL]

9. Why don't you take your own advice?

Even if your assumption about income level being lower near the nuclear plants is correct, where is your evidence that income level affects childhood cancers?
In fact studies indicate there is no correlation between income level and childhood cancers.
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/06/08/childhood-cancer.html

[pleah]

6. Well , DUH!