Nuclear Reactor Increase Risk of Blood Cancer

Pros cons of electric power generation is still rampant in many parts of the world diperbincangakan. In addition to outstanding benefits, the risks posed are also very dangerous. The study found that children living near nuclear power plants doubled risk of developing leukemia.

Leukemia or blood cancer is a type of cancer in which white blood cells produced in excess and disrupt the cells of the body. A study in France has found that the risk of leukemia two times higher in children living near nuclear power plants.

Unfortunately, a study published in the International Journal of Cancer does not claim a causal relationship between leukemia risk by living near nuclear power plants.

France has been using nuclear power for thirty years and is one country that relies heavily on nuclear power. 75 percent of electricity supply in France is produced by 58 reactors fruit.

Research conducted by the French health research agency, INSERM, found that in 2002 and 2007, 14 children under the age of 15 years who lived within 5 kilometers of the 19 nuclear power plants in France has been diagnosed with leukemia.

This figure is two-fold higher compared with other regions in France, where there are a total of 2753 cases of diagnosis in the same period throughout France.

These findings have been thoroughly inspected and deemed statistically significan

INSERM has conducted similar research with IRSN since 1990, but have never found a conclusion that a higher risk of leukemia found in children living near nuclear power plants.

The results also showed no difference in risk between the power plant located near the sea or river, or based on power capacity.

IRSN recommends a more thorough study of the causes of leukemia cases found near nuclear power plants. They also hope to be able to conduct international research collaboration.

Leukaemia is a rare disease, and examined on a larger scale would allow more precise results

However, a study for 35 years in England, published in 2011 found no evidence that children living near nuclear power plants is more risk of developing leukemia.

Research conducted by scientists Committee of the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE), only found 20 cases of childhood leukemia within 5 miles of a nuclear power plant in 1969 until 2004. COMARE scientists say that figure is almost equal to the area that there is no nuclear power plants.

In contrast to the findings of COMARE, a German study published in 2007 found an increased risk of leukemia in children living near power plants within a radius of 5 km significantly.