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Leukemia and other health outcomes in the vicinity of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, Plymouth, MA

Conference · · Archives of Environmental Health; (USA)
OSTI ID:5735008
;  [1]
  1. JSI/World Education, Boston, MA (USA)

We investigated the patterns of leukemia, other cancers, and adverse birth outcomes in the communities surrounding the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Data were taken from state vital records and cancer registry files. Information about coastal meteorologic conditions was used to estimate the population exposed to radioactive emissions in the mid-1970s. The temporal relationships of infant mortality, leukemia, thyroid cancer, and other diseases suggest that residents of local communities around and to the north of the power plant are at increased risk of health effects resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation. Leukemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia), in particular, was approximately 75% more frequent in 1982-1984 in the Plymouth area compared to the rest of the State. A follow-up case-control study still in progress is described and importance to meteorologic conditions in determining exposure in coastal locations is emphasized.

OSTI ID:
5735008
Report Number(s):
CONF-890937--
Journal Information:
Archives of Environmental Health; (USA), Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health; (USA) Vol. 45:5; ISSN 0003-9896; ISSN AEHLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English