No link between nuclear plants and leukaemia risk, say scientists

A new investigation by scientists advising the Government said the level of risk was “extremely small, if not zero”.

Members of Comare, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment, looked at the incidence of leukaemia in children under five living near 13 UK nuclear power plants (NPPs).

They also analysed data from studies on childhood cancer and proximity to nuclear plants in several European countries.

The committee said there was “no reason” to change its previous advice that “there is no evidence to support the view of an increased risk of childhood leukaemia in the vicinity of NPPs”.

But it recommended that the Government should continue monitoring radioactive discharges from nuclear installations.

Childhood leukaemia is a rare blood cancer that affects around 500 children each year in the UK.

Reports of “clusters” of cases have raised questions about possible environmental triggers, including radiation from nuclear facilities and electromagnetic fields around power lines.

Previous studies found no significant evidence of an increased risk of childhood cancer within 25 kilometres of a nuclear power station.

The new investigation examined the risk of leukaemia in children under the age of five living less than five kilometres away.

In its report, the panel of experts led by Comare chairman Professor Alex Elliott said: “The geographical analysis of British data is suggestive of a risk estimate for childhood leukaemia associated with proximity to an NPP that is extremely small, if not actually zero.”

One study found evidence of a “marked excess incidence” of childhood leukaemia near the Krummel nuclear power station in northern Germany.

But this was probably influenced by an unexplained leukaemia cluster in Krummel that lasted from 1990 to 2005.

The report did find one slight biological difference relating to immune cells between children with leukaemia living close to and far away from British nuclear power plants.