[Somatic mutagenesis at T-cell receptor locus in inhabitants of radiation polluted regions as a result of the Chernobyl disaster]

In the period of 2001-2004, frequency of cells bearing mutations at T-cell receptor (TCR) locus was assessed in 553 inhabitants of radiation polluted regions of the Russian Federation and 154 unexposed control persons. The inhabitants were divided into three groups according to age at the moment of the Chernobyl disaster and 137Cs pollution density: 1) in utero, 37-555 kBq/m2; 2) 0-14 years old, 20-555 kBq/m2; 3) 18 and more years old, highest 137Cs density (185 more than 555 kBq/m2). The most intense changes of the TCR-mutant cell frequency were observed in the group of persons exposed to ionizing radiation in utero. The mean frequency of the mutant cells was higher in the first group than in age-matched control group by about 1.5-fold: 4.0 x 10(-4) vs 2.7 x 10(-4) accordingly (p < 0.0001). Elevation in the mean TCR-mutant cell frequency was less expressed in group of inhabitants aged 0-14 years at the moment of irradiation start: 1.3-fold increase in comparison to age-matched control (3.8 x 10(-4) vs 2.9 x 10(-4), p = 0.0002). It was not found significant differences in mutant cell frequencies between control group and adults consisting in the third group (18 and more years old at the moment of the Chernobyl accident). The changes of the TCR-mutant cell frequency in persons exposed in pre- and postnatal periods differ not only quantitatively, but qualitatively. In the fist case all persons react to irradiation by increasing number of the TCR-mutant cells in some degree. In the second case - only a part of population. Proportion of reacting persons depends on age at the start of irradiation and, perhaps, on dose absorbed. The TCR-mutant frequency was significantly higher in persons with benign tumors of different localizations and nodules in thyroid gland than in persons without this pathology.

The risk of radiation-induced cerebrovascular disease in Chernobyl emergency workers

The paper deals with estimating radiation risks of non-cancer diseases of the circulatory system among the Chernobyl emergency workers based on data from the Russian National Medical and Dosimetric Registry. The results for the cohort of 61,017 people observed between 1986 and 2000 are discussed. These are essentially updated results for the similar cohort that was studied by authors earlier in 1986-1996. Newly discovered is the statistically significant dose risk of ischemic heart disease [ERR Gy = 0.41, 95% CI = (0.05; 0.78)]. Confirmation is provided for the existence of significant dose risks for essential hypertension [ERR Gy = 0.36, 95% CI = (0.005; 0.71)] and cerebrovascular diseases [ERR Gy = 0.45, 95% CI = (0.11; 0.80)]. In 1996-2000, the assessed ERR Gy for cerebrovascular diseases was 0.22 with 95% CI = (-0.15; 0.58). Special consideration is given to cerebrovascular diseases in the cohort of 29,003 emergency workers who arrived in the Chernobyl zone during the first year after the accident. The statistically significant heterogeneity of the dose risk of cerebrovascular diseases is shown as a function of the duration of stay in the Chernobyl zone: ERR Gy = 0.89 for durations of less than 6 wk, and ERR Gy = 0.39 on average. The at-risk group with respect to cerebrovascular diseases are those who received external radiation doses greater than 150 mGy in less than 6 wk [RR = 1.18, 95% CI = (1.00; 1.40)]. For doses above 150 mGy, the statistically significant risk of cerebrovascular diseases as a function of averaged dose rate (mean daily dose) was observed: ERR per 100 mGy d = 2.17 with 95% CI = (0.64; 3.69). The duration of stay within the Chernobyl zone itself, regardless of the dose factor, had little influence on cerebrovascular disease morbidity: ERR wk = -0.002, with 95% CI = (-0.004; -0.001). The radiation risks in this large-scale cohort study were not adjusted for recognized risk factors such as excessive weight, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, and others.

[Cancer morbidity and mortality among the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident: estimation of radiation risks]

The work focuses on the results of the analysis of the cancer incidence among the Chernobyl emergency workers residing in Russia during 1991-2001. The analysis is based on the data for the cohort of male emergency workers from 6 regions of Russia including 55718 persons with documented external radiation doses in the range of 0.001-0.3 Gy who worked within the 30-km zone in 1986-1987. The mean age at exposure for these persons was 34.8 years old and the mean external radiation dose 0.13 Gy. In this cohort 1370 cases of solid cancer were diagnosed. Three follow-up periods were considered: 1991-1995, 1996-2001 and 1991-2001. The second follow-up period was chosen to allow for a minimum latency period of 10 years. Risk assessments were performed for two control groups: the first control group ("external") represented incidence rates for corresponding ages in Russia in general and the second control group ("internal") consisted of emergency workers. The estimated standardized incidence ratio (SIR) is in good agreement with that of the control within 95% CI. The values of the excess relative risk per unit dose 1 Gy (ERR/Gy) for solid malignant neoplasms have been estimated to be 0.33 (95% CI: -0.39, 1.22) (internal control) for the follow-up period 1991-2001 and 0.19 (95% CI: -0.66, 1.27) for 1996-2001. The analysis of cancer morbidity was carried out for the cohort of 29003 emergency workers who took part in liquidation of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident from 26 April 1986 to 25 April 1987. It was shown that the excess relative risk of cancer deaths per unit dose 1 Sv (ERR/Sv) is equal to 1.52 (95% CI: 0.20, 2.85).

[The radiation risks of cerebrovascular diseases among the liquidators]

The work concerns the assessment of radiation risks for non-cancer diseases of circulatory system among the Chernobyl liquidators. The medical and dosimetric data from Russian National Medical and Dosimetric Registry were used. The cohort data from 1986 to 2000 years of 61017 liquidators are discussed. Radiation risks are established for the cerebrovascular diseases and for the essential hypertension the significant. ERR =0.45/Gy, with 95% CI = (0.11; 0.80) for the cerebrovascular diseases and ERR = 0.36/Gy, with 95% CI = (0.005; 0.71) for the essential hypertension. It approves the results which were established by authors for the similar cohort in 1986-1996. The cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) are considered in greater details. The significant heterogeneity of the radiation risks by working time in Chernobyl zone is shown for the first time. ERR = 0.89/Gy for the working time less then 6 weeks, and ERR = 0.39/Gy in average for all periods of working in the zone. Among the liquidators entered Chernobyl zone during the first year after the accident (29003 liquidators), the CVD's risk group consists of persons accumulated more then 150 mGy from external sources in less, then 6 weeks (RR = 1.18 with 95% CI = (1.00; 1.40)). The significant CVD's risk from averaged dose rate was defined for external doses greater then 150 mGy (ERR for 100 mGy/day = 2.17, with 95% CI = (0.64; 3.69)).

Non-cancer thyroid diseases among children in the Kaluga and Bryansk regions of the Russian Federation exposed to radiation following the Chernobyl accident

This paper presents results of estimated radiation risks of non-cancer thyroid diseases in the people from Kaluga and Bryansk regions of the Russian Federation exposed in their childhood to radioiodine as a result of the Chernobyl accident. This work was carried out under the Joint Medical Research Project on non-cancer thyroid diseases conducted by Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation and the Medical Radiological Research Center of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The subjects were 2,457 people who underwent health examinations from 1997 to the end of 1999 who had individual radiometric thyroid data obtained between May and June 1986 and were aged 10 y or less at the time of exposure. The thyroid absorbed doses from incorporated 131I were estimated on the basis of measurements of exposure dose rate in the vicinity of the subject's thyroid and liver. A compartment model accounting for 131I metabolism in humans and cows was used. The estimated dose varied from 0 to 6 Gy, and its distribution was approximately lognormal with a mean of 0.132 Gy and standard deviation of 0.45 Gy. The prevalence of diffuse goiter in males showed a significant dose-response (p = 0.03) with an estimated odds ratio 1.36 at 1 Gy.

Solid cancer incidence among the Chernobyl emergency workers residing in Russia: estimation of radiation risks

An analysis is presented of solid cancer incidence during 11 years of follow-up (1991-2001) of Chernobyl emergency workers residing in Russia. The analysis is based on data from the cohort of male emergency workers from 6 regions in Russia including 55718 persons with documented external radiation doses in the range of 0.001-0.3 Gy who worked within the 30 -km zone in 1986-1987. The mean age at exposure for these persons was 34.8 years and the mean external radiation dose 0.13 Gy. In the cohort 1370 cases of solid cancer were diagnosed and 3 follow-up periods were considered: 1991-1995, 1996-2001 and 1991-2001. The second follow-up period was chosen to allow for a minimum latency period of 10 years being characteristic of solid cancers. For risk assessment two control groups have been introduced, the first 'external' one representing incidence rates for corresponding ages in Russia in general, the second 'internal' one consisting of emergency workers. The risk estimates were based on spontaneous incidence rates of solid cancer. The estimated standardized incidence ratio (SIR) is in good agreement (95% CI) with that of the control. The values of excess relative risk per unit dose (ERR/Gy) for solid malignant neoplasms have been estimated to be 0.33 (95% CI: -0.39, 1.22) (internal control) for the follow-up period 1991-2001 and 0.19 (95% CI: -0.66, 1.27) for 1996-2001.

[Incidence of post-Chernobyl leukemia and thyroid cancer in children and adolescents in the Briansk region: evaluation of radiation risks]

Leukemia (51: 1988-1998) and thyroid cancer (106: 1991-1998) incidence in children and adolescents after Chemobyl accident in Bryansk region was assessed. A significant increase over spontaneous incidence in the same category of population and during the same period was reported. Standardized thyroid cancer incidence for the region is 5.37 times the federal level (95% confidence intervals--4.40 and 6.49, respectively); the upward trend is significant. The same trend is characteristic of leukemia incidence/exposure dose correlation but is not significant. Standardized leukemia incidence is 1.04 times the federal level (95% confidence intervals--0.78% and 1.34, respectively), and tallies with the federal level, within the margin of error. The findings are clearly indicative of exposure to radiation being a factor of higher thyroid cancer incidence in children and adolescents in Bryansk region.

Thyroid cancer incidence among adolescents and adults in the Bryansk region of Russia following the Chernobyl accident

Thyroid cancer incidence in the Bryansk region, the most contaminated area of Russia after the Chernobyl accident, is analyzed for the residents aged 15-69 y at the time of the accident (about 1 million persons according to the 1989 census) for the period from 1986 to 1998. Sex and age standardized incidence rates are presented and compared to the whole Russian population rates (SIR analysis). Also, a geographical correlation analysis is performed for incidence rates and mean thyroid doses at the district level, which provides a basis for preliminary estimation of radiation associated risks for the period 1991-1998 (to allow for a potential five year latent period). Thyroid doses were estimated based on the State official document "Methodology for reconstruction of dose from iodine radioisotopes in residents of the Russian Federation exposed to radioactive contamination as a result of the Chernobyl accident in 1986" (2000). Altogether, 1,051 thyroid cancer cases were detected in the Bryansk oncological dispensary from 1986 to 1998 and 769 from 1991 to 1998. Histological confirmation was available for 87% and 95% of these cases, respectively. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were 1.27 (95% CI = 0.92, 1.73) for the period 1986-1990 and 1.45 (95% CI = 1.20, 1.73) for the period 1991-1998 for males and 1.94 (95% CI = 1.70, 2.20) and 1.96 (95% CI = 1.82, 2.1) for females. The excess relative risk per 1 Gy (using external control) estimate for the period 1991-1998 was -0.4 (95% CI = -3.5, 2.7), -1.3 (95% CI = -2.8, 0.1) for males and females, respectively, and -0.6 (95% CI = -2.1, 0.8) for both sexes. Using internal controls, the excess relative risk (ERR(1Gy)) per unit dose of 1 Gy was found to be 0.7 with 95% CI (-2.3, 5.2) for males, -0.9 with 95% CI (-2.4, 0.8) for females and 0.0 with 95% CI (-1.4, 1.7) for males and females together. These results are discussed in the light of the quality of information available on thyroid cancer cases and screening campaigns carried out after the Chernobyl accident.

Thyroid cancer incidence among liquidators of the Chernobyl accident. Absence of dependence of radiation risks on external radiation dose

The increase of thyroid cancer incidence rate among children living in the Chernobyl contaminated territories of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine has widely been accepted. Our current work deals with thyroid cancer incidence in the cohort of liquidators (99024 persons) living in 6 regions of Russia: North-West, Volgo-Vyatsky, Central-Chernozemny, Povolzhsky, North-Caucasus and Urals. In the period 1986-1998, a total of 58 thyroid cancer cases were detected in this cohort. We found a statistically significant increase of the thyroid cancer incidence rate in liquidators as compared to the baseline (male population of Russia) level (SIR=4.33, 95% CI: 3.29; 5.60). It was demonstrated that there is no dependence of incidence rates due to external radiation exposure (ERR/Gy=-2.23, 95% CI: -4.67; 0.22).

Studies of cancer risk among Chernobyl liquidators: materials and methods

The current paper presents the methods and design of two case-control studies among Chernobyl liquidators-one of leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the other of thyroid cancer risk-carried out in Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia. The specific objective of these studies is to estimate the radiation induced risk of these diseases among liquidators of the Chernobyl accident, and, in particular, to study the effect of exposure protraction and radiation type on the risk of radiation induced cancer in the low-to-medium- (0-500 mSv) radiation dose range. The study population consists of the approximately 10000 Baltic, 40000 Belarus and 51 000 Russian liquidators who worked in the 30 km zone in 1986-1987, and who were registered in the Chernobyl registry of these countries. The studies included cases diagnosed in 1993-1998 for all countries but Belarus, where the study period was extended until 2000. Four controls were selected in each country from the national cohort for each case, matched on age, gender and region of residence. Information on study subjects was obtained through face-to-face interview using a standardised questionnaire with questions on demographic factors, time, place and conditions of work as a liquidator and potential risk and confounding factors for the tumours of interest. Overall, 136 cases and 595 controls after receiving their consent were included in the studies. A method of analytical dose reconstruction has been developed, validated and applied to the estimation of doses and related uncertainties for all the subjects in the study. Dose-response analyses are underway and results are likely to have important implications to assess the adequacy of existing protection standards, which are based on risk estimates derived from analyses of the mortality of atomic bomb survivors and other high dose studies.

[Sociomedical aspects of reduction of risk in the development of occupational diseases and industrial trauma in railway transport]

The paper outlines the main constituents of occupational risk in railway workers, which are based on the sanitary and biomedical criteria of injury safety. Sociomedical aspects of the incidence of railway occupational diseases and injuries are discussed. A list of major occupational factors and causes that determine a high occupational risk in railway workers is given.

Mortality among the Chernobyl emergency workers: estimation of radiation risks (preliminary analysis)

This paper presents results of the analysis of mortality among Chernobyl accident emergency workers who are resident in Russia. The analysis is based on information for the cohort of emergency workers (males) from six regions of Russia including 65,905 persons with documented external doses in the range 0.005-03 Sv. These data were gathered during the period 1991 to 1998 and cover a total of 426,304 follow-up person-y. In this period, 4,995 deaths occurred in the cohort under study. The mortality analysis was performed for four groups of causes of death (ICD-9 codes): (1) malignant neoplasms (140-239); (2) cardiovascular diseases (390-459); (3) injuries, poisoning and violent deaths, (800-999); and (4) the remainder (other than the above). The standardized mortality rate for groups 1, 3, and 4 is less than unity and varies from 0.6 to 0.9. For group 2 (death from cardiovascular diseases) the standardized mortality rate conforms with the control within 95% confidence intervals. The control was the mortality rate (males) for the corresponding ages in Russia in general and the internal control, the spontaneous mortality among emergency workers, derived from the equation of the observed and expected number of cases in the followed up cohort. Dose response of mortality was studied. Statistically significant radiation risks were obtained for mortality from malignant neoplasms (515 cases) and cardiovascular diseases (1,728 cases). The values of the excess relative risk per unit dose (ERR Sv(-1)) for malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases are estimated as 2.11 (1.31, 2.92 95% CI) and 0.54 (0.18,0.91 95% CI) (for external control), 2.04 (0.45, 4.31 95% CI) and 0.79 (0.07, 1.64 95% CI) (for internal control), respectively. The risk of death from all noncancer causes is close to zero and not statistically significant.

Cancer Incidence among Nuclear Workers in Russia Based on Data from the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering: A Preliminary Analysis

One group that has the potential to be exposed to radiation is workers in the nuclear industry. Results of a systematic medical follow-up and dosimetric monitoring of these workers can form the basis for a study of the relationship between cancer incidence and radiation dose. As part of such efforts in Russia, a major institution of the nuclear industry with an established medical care unit, archiving capabilities, and dosimetry department was selected: the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE) in Obninsk. In the study, a comparative analysis of cancer incidence rates for the IPPE workers and for the general population of Russia in 1991-1997 was carried out. The subjects were the IPPE workers hired before 1981. This restriction was imposed to reduce the uncertainty associated with the possible latent period in the development of solid cancers. Thus the possibility of including persons who already had the disease at the time when they were hired was minimized. The analysis is based on information about 158 cancer cases, including 24 cancers in persons under individual dosimetric monitoring. A statistically significant excess in cancer incidence was found among the IPPE workers compared with a comparison population (the general population of Russia) for some types of cancers. The SIR values for all cancers (ICD-9: 140-208) is 0.93 (95% CI 0.76, 1.12) for males and 1.42 (95% CI 1.06, 1.87) for females. A statistically significant excess for all cancers was also observed for residents of Obninsk compared to the control comparison population. The corresponding SIR value was 1.20 (95% CI 1.12, 1.28) for males and 1.58 (95% CI 1.49, 1.69) for females. An important reason for the observed excess in cancer incidence compared to the control population may be the higher level of health care in the so-called nuclear cities of Russia which may have resulted in increased diagnosis and registration of cancers. A statistically significant dependence of the cancer incidence on the dose of ionizing radiation was not established. The excess relative risk per gray for all types of cancer was 0.91 (95% CI -2.75, 4.61) for males and 0.40 (95% CI -6.94, 7.83) for females. These estimates should be considered to be preliminary, as the number of cases considered in the analysis of the dose response is small (17 males and 7 females).

A case-control analysis of leukemia in accident emergency workers of Chernobyl

We estimated the radiation-induced risk of leukemia in 162,684 Chernobyl accident emergency workers (EWs) using the data of the Russian National Medical and Dosimetric Registry (RNMDR). A system was established for the collection and verification of data in 55 cases of leukemia from 1986 to 1995. The principal analysis included 41 leukemia cases that occurred more than 2 years after the first exposure to radiation. The case-control methodology was used to evaluate the risk of leukemia associated with various factors. Radiation dose, effective exposure dose rate, date of entry into the Chernobyl zone (ChZ), and the duration of stay in the zone were used as risk factors. The relationship between the date of entry and the duration of stay in the zone was investigated. All cases of leukemia, excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), were analyzed. An analysis was also performed on all EWs and on the EWs who worked in the zone from 1986 to 1987 (EWs of 1986 to 1987). No significant association was found between the risk of leukemia and the factors we investigated. Nevertheless, the relative risk estimates for leukemia, excluding CLL, were greater than the value for all leukemia and were greater than one. The estimated excess relative risk (ERR) per Gy was greater for all EWs [ERR = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): -6.25, 8.90 for all leukemia, and ERR = 15.59, 95% CI: -24.92, 56.11 for leukemia, excluding CLL] compared with EWs of 1986 to 1987 (ERR = 0.28, 95% CI: -5.84, 7.41 for all leukemia, and ERR = 9.43, 95% CI: -20.0, 38.86 for leukemia, excluding CLL).

[Dynamics of morbidity among liquidators of Chernobyl nuclear power station accident]

The article represents data on distribution of liquidators in Russian State Medical Dosimetry Register according to account categories, residing territories (regions of Russia), age, sex, dose groups, coverage by medical examinations and health groups. During 1991-1996 the liquidators demonstrated higher occurrence of endocrine, neurologic and sensory, circulatory, digestive and malignant diseases.

Radiation-epidemiological analysis of incidence of non-cancer diseases among the Chernobyl liquidators

The work is concerned with assessment of radiation risks for non-cancer disease among the Chernobyl liquidators from 1986 to 1996. As of 1 January 1999, the Russian National Medical and Dosimetric Registry contains medical and dosimetric data for 174,000 liquidators. The cohort of 68,309 liquidators for whom best verified medical data are available is discussed. The dose dependency of incidence of non-cancer diseases was estimated by the cohort method and using the software package Epicure. For some classes of non-cancer diseases among liquidators, statistically significant estimates of radiation risk were derived for the first time. The highest excess relative risk per 1 Gy was found for cerebrovascular diseases; ERR Gy(-1)=1.17 at the 95% confidence interval (0.45; 1.88).

[The ecological mechanisms of the formation of macrobenthos communities in the coastal area of small diverse lakes]

The author analyses trophic structure of macro invertebrates inhabiting samples of litter settled (deciduous leaves) in three small lakes with different hydrochemical characters. In acid lake predators and detritovores-collectors are dominant, in slightly acid lake predators, detritovores-filtrators and collectors are the main types. Trophic structure of acid lakes is formed by acid-tolerant species adopted to low pH. In slightly acid lakes circumneutral species are developed. It was shown that trophic structure is formed mainly under influence of biotic factors and is not strongly depended on pH and trophic levels. Vertical distribution of organisms is determined by oxygen regime.

Dynamics of thyroid cancer incidence in Russia following the Chernobyl accident

This paper presents an analysis of thyroid cancer incidence in the territories of Russia most contaminated after the Chernobyl accident. In the work, data on incidence in the Bryansk, Kaluga, Orel and Tula regions (5298000 persons) are used. Altogether, 2599 cases of thyroid cancer are considered from 1982 to 1995. Of them, 143 cases were among the population who were children and adolescents at the time of the accident in 1986. The work uses the approach based on comparison of distributions of thyroid cancer cases by age at diagnosis and age at exposure. It has been shown that since 1991 the age structure of the incidence has changed significantly with a growing proportion of cases among children and adolescents. The change in the structure occurred due to the radiation factor, specifically as a result of exposure of thyroid to incorporated 131I. It has been shown that the standardised incidence ratio (SIR) of thyroid cancer among children who were 0-4 years at exposure in 1991-6 was 6 to 10 times higher than among adults. On the average, SIR for children and adolescents at the time of exposure is about three times higher than in adults.

Cancer incidence among liquidators of the Chernobyl accident: solid tumors, 1986-1995

The paper considers information about cancer incidence (solid tumors) among liquidators of the Chernobyl accident, which occurred in April 1986. The information was accumulated in the Russian National Medical and Dosimetric Registry (RNMDR) in the period from 1986 to early 1996. The RNMDR contains individual dosimetric and annual check-up data on liquidators resident in Russia. This paper presents results for male liquidators who had no oncological diseases before arrival to the 30-km zone and for whom the following information was available: confirmed dose of external radiation, birth date, date of arrival to the 30-km zone, time spent in the 30-km zone, and results of medical check-ups. The number of liquidators under study is 114,504, i.e., about 68% of all those registered in the RNMDR. The average dose of the studied cohort is 108 mGy; the average age at first arrival to the 30-km zone is 34.3 y; the total number of person-y is 797,781. The cohort of liquidators is briefly characterized. Cancer incidence in liquidators is compared to that of the population of Russia as a whole by calculating standardized incidence ratio (SIR). The values of SIR with 95% confidence intervals for all solid tumors and malignant neoplasms of the digestive system were 1.23 (1.15; 1.31) and 1.11 (1.01; 1.24), respectively. Assessment of radiation risks for the same classes of diseases has revealed a statistically significant increase in cancer incidence with external radiation dose. This study also shows that statistically significant excesses in the incidence of malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system have not been observed.

Cancer risks in the Kaluga oblast of the Russian Federation 10 years after the Chernobyl accident

Cancer morbidity and mortality were studied in areas of the Kaluga oblast contaminated with radionuclides. The main objective of the study was to assess the influence of radiation exposure on existing levels of cancer morbidity and mortality. Time trends and relative population risks were analysed. Based on this analysis, it was concluded that the current levels of morbidity from cancers among the populations residing in the studied areas were primarily a result of a complex of factors which predated the exposure from the Chernobyl accident. However, there seems to be an unfavourable trend concerning malignant neoplasms of the respiratory organs for women residing in the contaminated areas. To date, no statistically significant effect of radiation on cancer morbidity (except for thyroid cancer in women) has been noted. The levels of cancer morbidity and mortality in the contaminated areas generally reflect the changes in cancer incidence in the oblast as a whole. The findings are consistent with international data on latent periods for the induction of radiogenic cancers and the biological effects for similar levels of exposure to populations residing in contaminated territories. Further studies are necessary in order to monitor possible effects that are related to the accident.

Thyroid cancer among "liquidators" of the Chernobyl accident

In 1986, immediately after the Chernobyl accident, the USSR Ministry of Health adopted a large scale programme of establishing an All-Union Distributed Registry of persons affected by radiation due to the accident. The registry was based at the Medical Radiological Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (MRRC RAMS). In 1992, when the USSR was dissolved, this registry database contained information on 659,000 persons, including 284,000 Chernobyl accident emergency workers ("liquidators"). Currently, the Russian National Medical Dosimetric Registry (RNMDR) contains data on 435,276 persons, including 167,862 liquidators. This paper reviews the data for 47 verified thyroid cancers in the liquidator subgroup of the RNMDR. Analyses show that there is an excess relative risk of thyroid cancer per Gy of 5.31 (95% confidence intervals 0.04 and 10.58) and an excess absolute risk of thyroid cancer per 10(4) person-years per Gy of 1.15 (95% confidence intervals 0.08 and 2.22).