Risk of cancer from occupational exposure to ionising radiation: retrospective cohort study of workers in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States (INWORKS).

ABSTRACT:

Study question

Is protracted exposure to low doses of ionising radiation associated with an increased risk of solid cancer?

Methods

In this cohort study, 308,297 workers in the nuclear industry from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States with detailed monitoring data for external exposure to ionising radiation were linked to death registries. Excess relative rate per Gy of radiation dose for mortality from cancer was estimated. Follow-up encompassed 8.2 million person years. Of 66,632 known deaths by the end of follow-up, 17,957 were due to solid cancers.

Study answer and limitations

Results suggest a linear increase in the rate of cancer with increasing radiation exposure. The average cumulative colon dose estimated among exposed workers was 20.9 mGy (medi

SUBMITTER: Richardson DB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4612459 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature