A recent study carried out by the Childhood Cancer Research Group (CCRG) at Oxford University has shown that even low amounts of gamma radiation in the natural environment can increase the risk of childhood leukaemia.
The findings contradict the previously accepted idea that low amounts of natural gamma radiation produce no increased risk, adding to research on small cancer risks and other low doses of radiation, including medical X-rays and CT scans.
The study is the largest that has ever been conducted on the links between childhood cancer and background radiation and was based on tens of thousands of records from a UK cancer registry.
Dr Gerald Kendall, one of the leaders of the project, said, “What is new in our findings is the direct demonstration that there are radiation effects at these very low doses and dose rates. Natural gamma-rays account for about half the dose reaching children’s bone marrow from all sources. So they account for approaching 40 childhood leukaemias a year.”
Dr Mike Murphy, director of CCRG, told Cherwell that the study started “seven or eight years ago but it has taken three years to pool data together to get it as accurate as possible. It is the first study to provide convincing evidence that low radiation will have an impact of the risk of leukaemia.
“We are funded to do a larger and better study to improve our estimates- which will take eighteen months. We would particularly like to know if there is a real risk associated with radon, and a new study would look into this.”
He added, “Basically, the study contributes to an understanding about radiation and risk and points towards further possible studies but it would be difficult to put any preventative measures, such as building radiation proof buildings, into action.”
