LEUKEMIA IN NAGASAKI ATOMIC BOMB SURVIVORS FROM 1945 THROUGH 1959
The Nagasaki leukemia experience during a period of 14 years is discussed together with comparisons with data from Hiroshima and other series of postradiation leukemia cases. The data demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt the leukemogenic effect of ionizing radiation on man. An increased risk of leukemia following doses probably as low as 100 rad (air-entry dose) of whole-body radiation is apparent on the basis of the available estimates of atomic bomb radiation doses. At doses above this level the increase in leukemia incidence may be linearly related to the radiation dose. The data suggest that young people may be more sensitive to radioinduced leukemia than older age groups. In Nagasaki and Hiroshima survivors exposed in utero, no case of leukemia has been identified to date. The first increase in leukemia incidence among the Japanese survivors occurred 18 months to 2 years following exposure, and the risk of leukemia has continued in the population as late as 14 years after exposure. In Nagasaki survivors, both acute leukemia of all types and chronic granulocytic leukemia have increased; 67% of 21 cases of chronic granulocytic leukemia occurred in people located at less than 2000 m whereas only 41% of all acute leukemias occurred in the group. In Hiroshima, the figures are 89% and 79%, respectively. That the incidence of chronic granulocytic leukemia is greater in Hiroshima than in Nagasaki may have implications, inasmuch as the Hiroshima survivors received 2 to 10 times greater neutron-induced doses, depending on different estimates. (P.C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Hiroshima Univ.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-012173
- OSTI ID:
- 4772645
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the World Health Organization (U.S.), Vol. Vol: 26; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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