Epidemiological study of the possible effect of ionising radiations
deriving from the operation of Spanish nuclear fuel cycle
facilities on the health of the population
living in their vicinity
Summary of the final report
[ORIGINAL complete STUDY DOCUMENT IS IN SPANISH http://www.csn.es/images/stories/pub...orme_final.pdf ]
December 2009
Collaboration agreement between the Nuclear Safety Council
and the Carlos III Institute of Health
Environmental and Cancer Epidemiology Unit, National Centre for Epidemiology
Nuclear Safety Council
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction and background
Basic characteristics of the study
Methodology
Results
Installations / artificial radiation
Natural radiation
Conclusions
INFLUENCE OF NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE NUCLEAR AND RADIOACTIVE FACILITIES ON MORTALITY DUE TO CANCER IN PERSONS LIVING IN THE VICINITY OF SUCH FACILITIES IN SPAIN
1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS
2.1
Design of the epidemiological study
Selection of municipal areas around nuclear facilities and control municipalities
Table 1. Nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities studied
Selection of municipalities in two areas with different exposure to natural radiation
Causes to be studied
Table 2. Types of cancer selected in the study
2.2
Estimate of exposure to ionising radiations in the vicinity of the facilities studied
Selection of an exposure indicator for each municipality included within the scope of the study
Estimate of artificial radiation doses to the members of the public in the vicinity of nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities and of those due to natural radiation
Criteria for the establishment of cut‐off points
2.3
Analysis of mortality
Table 3. Range of accumulated artificial radiation and annual natural radiation doses in the municipalities located in the vicinity of each of the plants and facilities
3. RESULTS
General comments on the study population, socio‐demographic characteristics and categories of radiation dose
Table 4. General characteristics of the population studied in areas adjacent to the facilities
Table 5. Categorisation of artificial radiation doses (induction of 10 years)
Table 6. Categorisation of artificial radiation doses (induction of 1 year). Accumulated dose ranges by categories (microSievert)
Table 7. Categories of annual natural radiation doses by facilities in microSieverts (quartiles)
Comments on the magnitude of artificial radiation doses and their distribution by plants and fuel cycle facilities
Results of joint analysis of the nuclear power plants
Table 8. Joint analysis of all nuclear power plants
Results of joint analysis of the fuel cycle facilities
Table 9. Joint analysis of all fuel cycle facilities
Study of the possible effect of natural radiation in the vicinity of the facilities
Study of the possible effect of natural radiation in high and low exposure areas
4. DISCUSSION
5. CONCLUSIONS
Note 1. This report has been drawn up by the Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII) and the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), each within its respective realm of competence and function as regards the issues dealt with. The CSN is responsible for all aspects relating to the reconstruction of the history of exposure of the population to ionising radiations arising from the operation of the facilities and to those of natural origin. The ISCIII is responsible for the design and performance of all aspects of the cancer mortality study and for drawing up all the sections of the report referring to this issue.
Note 2. In order to facilitate understanding, a glossary of technical and scientific terms used in the report has been included as an appendix thereto.
deriving from the operation of Spanish nuclear fuel cycle
facilities on the health of the population
living in their vicinity
Summary of the final report
[ORIGINAL complete STUDY DOCUMENT IS IN SPANISH http://www.csn.es/images/stories/pub...orme_final.pdf ]
December 2009
Collaboration agreement between the Nuclear Safety Council
and the Carlos III Institute of Health
Environmental and Cancer Epidemiology Unit, National Centre for Epidemiology
Nuclear Safety Council
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction and background
Basic characteristics of the study
Methodology
Results
Installations / artificial radiation
Natural radiation
Conclusions
INFLUENCE OF NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE NUCLEAR AND RADIOACTIVE FACILITIES ON MORTALITY DUE TO CANCER IN PERSONS LIVING IN THE VICINITY OF SUCH FACILITIES IN SPAIN
1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS
2.1
Design of the epidemiological study
Selection of municipal areas around nuclear facilities and control municipalities
Table 1. Nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities studied
Selection of municipalities in two areas with different exposure to natural radiation
Causes to be studied
Table 2. Types of cancer selected in the study
2.2
Estimate of exposure to ionising radiations in the vicinity of the facilities studied
Selection of an exposure indicator for each municipality included within the scope of the study
Estimate of artificial radiation doses to the members of the public in the vicinity of nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities and of those due to natural radiation
Criteria for the establishment of cut‐off points
2.3
Analysis of mortality
Table 3. Range of accumulated artificial radiation and annual natural radiation doses in the municipalities located in the vicinity of each of the plants and facilities
3. RESULTS
General comments on the study population, socio‐demographic characteristics and categories of radiation dose
Table 4. General characteristics of the population studied in areas adjacent to the facilities
Table 5. Categorisation of artificial radiation doses (induction of 10 years)
Table 6. Categorisation of artificial radiation doses (induction of 1 year). Accumulated dose ranges by categories (microSievert)
Table 7. Categories of annual natural radiation doses by facilities in microSieverts (quartiles)
Comments on the magnitude of artificial radiation doses and their distribution by plants and fuel cycle facilities
Results of joint analysis of the nuclear power plants
Table 8. Joint analysis of all nuclear power plants
Results of joint analysis of the fuel cycle facilities
Table 9. Joint analysis of all fuel cycle facilities
Study of the possible effect of natural radiation in the vicinity of the facilities
Study of the possible effect of natural radiation in high and low exposure areas
4. DISCUSSION
5. CONCLUSIONS
Note 1. This report has been drawn up by the Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII) and the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), each within its respective realm of competence and function as regards the issues dealt with. The CSN is responsible for all aspects relating to the reconstruction of the history of exposure of the population to ionising radiations arising from the operation of the facilities and to those of natural origin. The ISCIII is responsible for the design and performance of all aspects of the cancer mortality study and for drawing up all the sections of the report referring to this issue.
Note 2. In order to facilitate understanding, a glossary of technical and scientific terms used in the report has been included as an appendix thereto.