Epidemiology of non-cancer diseases among Chernobyl accident recovery operation workers

Author: V.A. Buzunov, N.P. Strapko, Ye.A. Pirogova et al.

Reference: International Journal of Radiation Medicine. — 2001. — Vol. 3, № 3–4. — P. 9–25.

What is desirable and feasible in dose reconstruction for application in epidemiological studies?

Title: What is desirable and feasible in dose reconstruction for application in epidemiological studies?
Author: Bouville, A. / Beebe, G.W. / Anspaugh, L.

 Reference: Feb 1996 Conference: International conference of the European Commission, Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine on the consequences of the Chernobyl accident

doi:

Keywords: Epidemiological studies

Abstract: Epidemiological studies of populations are of two general forms, monitoring or formal, and serve several possible purposes. Monitoring studies inform members of potentially affected population groups of the nature and magnitude of the risks that might have been imposed on them. Formal epidemiological studies can increase scientific knowledge about the quantitative risk that attends exposure. Risks of human health due to radiation exposure are most appropriately estimated by means of formal epidemiological studies. Dosimetric data are essential for any epidemiological study, but the detail and accuracy needed depend on the purposes to be served. If the need is for a monitoring study, then general information about doses will suffice. However, a formal study that is expected to contribute to scientific information about quantitative radiation risk requires careful individual dose estimation. This paper is devoted to the discussion of dosimetric data needed for formal epidemiological studies of populations exposed as a result of nuclear power operations. The recommendations made by the National Research Council have largely been followed. The examples used in this paper are relevant to the Chernobyl accident, which caused a large number of people to be exposed at relatively high doses and provided an opportunity for formal epidemiological studies to be initiated. The studies that are singled out are those of thyroid cancer among children who resided in Belarus and in Ukraine at the time of the accident, and those of leukemia among workers involved in the mitigation of the accident and in clean-up operations.

URL: http://www.osti.gov/bridge/product.biblio.jsp?query_id=2&page=0&osti_id=261093

Current State of Epidemiological Studies in Belarus about Chernobyl Sufferers

Title: Current State of Epidemiological Studies in Belarus about Chernobyl Sufferers

Author: Vladimir P. MATSKO

Reference: [PDF-101K]Aug 2002

Keywords:

Abstract: The present paper is an analysis of the results of epidemiological studies in Belarus about the after-effects of the accident at the Chernobyl atomic power station (ChAPS), based on published data at scientific institutes, organs and institutions of Ministry of Health. The special system in the Republic of sanitation for the affected population and its statistical outcome allows to obtain annually the data on morbidity and mortality of different cohorts of this population. The health both of the affected by the catastrophe and of the whole population of the Republic is influenced by economic, environmental (i.e. of natural and social medium) factors connected with individual behaviours, medical and sanitary situation. The higher level of disease incidence among the affected people can be explained, in a certain degree, not only by the ChAPS accident after-effects but also by the established sanitary system and improved diagnostics quality. Meanwhile, the adduced data are of interest as a basis for long-term observation, evaluation of tendencies and choice of directions of priority in further researches. The adduced material indicates aggravation of health state of the republican population, especially of those who suffered as a result of the ChAPS catastrophe. Undoubtedly, the higher disease incidence of the affected people (which constitute a fifth part of the total population) increases the morbidity in Belarus as a whole.

URL: http://www.rri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/NSRG/reports/kr21/kr21pdf/Matsko2.pdf

The seven projects and their achievements in 5 years that provide new post-COE concepts

Title: The seven projects and their achievements in 5 years that provide new post-COE concepts

Author: Tomonaga, Masao

Reference: International Congress Series, 1299, p.3-9, Feb 2007

doi: 10.1016/j.ics.2006.09.018

Keywords: COE project; Epidemiology; Molecular epidemiology; Stem cell theory; Regenerative medicine

Abstract: During the actuarial period of 4 years spent on our COE Program, we have conducted seven major projects: high quality medical care and epidemiology of radiation exposed victims in Nagasaki, Chernobyl and Semipalatinsk, molecular epidemiology of radiation-induced cancers, basic radiation biology in terms of low-dose effect on human cells and carcinogenesis, promotion of international preparedness for acute radiation accident and practical regeneration medicine for acute radiation injuries and international exchange of young investigators and development of e-learning system on radiation life science. These activities brought about an important finding that thyroid cancer in Chernobyl and solid cancers and hematopoietic neoplasia in atomic bomb survivors continued over 20 years and 60 years, respectively. This finding provides stem cell target theory to explain the life-long effect of radiation on the human body. Therefore, our post-COE concept should be how to prove this hypothesis and develop improved medical care for radiation victims including prevention and early detection of cancers.

URL:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531513106006273

Cancer risks from low dose exposure to ionising radiation – Is the linear no-threshold model still relevant?

Title: Cancer risks from low dose exposure to ionising radiation – Is the linear no-threshold model still relevant?

Author: Harbron, Richard William
Reference: Radiography, 18 (1), p.28-33, Feb 2012

doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2011.07.003

Keywords: Cancer; Epidemiology; Radiobiology; Non-targeted effects; Hypersensitivity; Radiation protection

Abstract: …radiation induced breast cancer beyond the age of 50…the variation in breast cancer risk with age suggests…occurs. 41 Radiogenic thyroid cancer ERR decreases strongly with age in the LSS and Chernobyl data 10,43 though the…

URL:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1078817411000691

A 25 Year Retrospective Review of the Psychological Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident

Title: A 25 Year Retrospective Review of the Psychological Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident
Author: Bromet, E.J. / Havenaar, J.M. / Guey, L.T.

Reference: Clinical Oncology, 23 (4), p.297-305, May 2011

doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2011.01.501

Keywords: Chernobyl; cognitive; epidemiology; mental health; psychological; radiation

Abstract: …A-bomb survivors, the Chernobyl evacuees found themselves…medical community. The Chernobyl disaster encompassed…responders, the high rate of thyroid cancer in exposed children…medical community that Chernobyl was the cause of illness…

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0936655511005334

A comparative study on thyroid diseases among children in Gomel region, Belarus

Title: A comparative study on thyroid diseases among children in Gomel region, Belarus

Author: Shibata, Yoshisada / Masyakin, Vladimir B. / Panasyuk, Galina D. / Gomanova, Svetlana P. / Arkhipenko, Vladimir N. / Ashizawa, Kiyoto / Ito, Masahiro / (…) / Yamashita, Shunichi

Reference: International Congress Series, 1234, p.121-126, May 2002

doi: 10.1016/S0531-5131(01)00602-1

Keywords: Chernobyl accident; Causation; Epidemiology; Short-lived fallout; Thyroid cancer

Abstract: A study aimed at comparing the prevalence of thyroid diseases between children born before and after the accident was outlined with emphasis on rationale and design of the study. In the study, a total of 21 601 children in Gomel city and four districts in the neighborhood of Gomel city were examined from February 1998 to December 2000. There were 9720 children born from January 1, 1983 to April 26, 1986 (Group I), 2409 children born from April 27, 1986 to December 31, 1986 and 9472 children born from January 1, 1987 to December 31, 1989 (Group III). Out of the examined children, 32 (0.15%) thyroid cancers were found, among whom 31 were in Group I and one was in Group II, while no cases in Group III. Our findings demonstrate the likelihood that short-lived radioactive fallout due to the Chernobyl accident induced thyroid cancer in children living near Chernobyl.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531513101006021

Increased incidence of malignancies in Sweden after the Chernobyl accident-a promoting effect?

Title: Increased incidence of malignancies in Sweden after the Chernobyl accident-a promoting effect?

Author: Martin Tondel, Peter Lindgren,1 Peter Hjalmarsson,Lennart Hardell, Bodil Persson4

Reference: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE 49:159–168 (2006) [PDF-140K]Mar 2011

Keywords: caesium-137; ionising radiation; nuclear power; low dose; epidemiology; environment; background radiation; cancer; GIS; cohort

Abstract: After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, as much as 5% of the released caesium-137 was deposited in Sweden due to a heavy rainfall 2 days after the event. A study of increased incidence of malignancies was initiated after the accident.

URL: http://www.ippnw.org/pdf/chernobyl-increased-incidence-malignancies-sweden.pdf