BACKGROUND RADIATION AS THE CAUSE OF FATAL CONGENITAL MALFORMATION

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1960 · Intern. J. Radiation Biol.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/09553006014550101· OSTI ID:4157976

Wesley, J P

The fraction of malformed births (deaths due to congenital malformation divided by births) is shown to vary over the earth with background radiation. Cosmic-ray energy flux is taken as the measure of background. The relation between the world-wide incidence of congenital malformation and geomagnetic latitude yields a X/sup 2/ = 21 (P < 0.0001) and is in agreement with the approximate theoretical relation. Lines of equal incidence of congenital malformation show characteristics which match variations in the earth's magnetic field or background radiation. Since the variation from U.S malformed births per 1000 in South-east Asia to 7.9 in Northern Ireland can be attributed to background, at least 96 per cent of all deaths due to congenital malformation can be attributed to background. The distribution of congenitai malformation within the United States provides corroborative evidence. X rays have caused a 6 per cent increase in congenital malformation in the United States in the last 30 years. (auth)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-14-010361
• OSTI ID: 4157976
• Journal Information: Intern. J. Radiation Biol., Journal Name: Intern. J. Radiation Biol. Vol. Vol: 2
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ASIA
BACKGROUND
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
COSMIC RADIATION
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH
ENERGY
ENVIRONMENT
EQUATIONS
GENETICS
IRELAND
LETHAL DOSE
MALFORMATIONS
MAN
MEASURED VALUES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
STATISTICS
X RADIATION