Living near a nuclear power station doesn't increase a child's cancer risk

No evidence exists that living near a nuclear power station increases a child's risk of cancer, a study published by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment has said. But the study confirms that a higher than expected number of cases of leukaemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and other solid tumours have been found “clustered” around nuclear facilities in Sellafield, Rosyth, Burghfield, and Dounreay, however.

The study, which examined more than 32 000 cases of childhood cancer between 1969 and 1993 and is believed to be the largest of its kind, was begun in response to reports that significantly higher numbers of children were being diagnosed as having cancer in areas close …