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Published on: January 7, 2013
Mortality among workers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1943-2017
John D Boice1,2, Sarah S Cohen3, Michael T Mumma4,5
1National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA.
International Journal of Radiation Biology
|May 28, 2021
Summary
This study examined mortality among Los Alamos National Laboratory workers, finding little evidence of increased lung cancer or leukemia risk from radiation exposure. Esophageal cancer and bone cancer showed associations with radiation and plutonium, respectively.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Science
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was established during WWII for atomic weapons development.
- Research continued post-WWII, focusing on nuclear weapons and related technologies.
- The study investigates the long-term health outcomes of LANL workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the mortality experience of workers employed at LANL.
- To assess the relationship between occupational radiation exposure and cancer risk.
- To evaluate mortality patterns in a cohort exposed to various radioactive materials.
Main Methods:
- Mortality follow-up of 26,328 LANL workers through 2017.
- Organ dose estimation considering photon, neutron, tritium, and plutonium exposures.
- Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) and Cox regression models were employed for analysis.
Main Results:
- Little evidence linked radiation dose to increased lung cancer or leukemia risk.
- Esophageal cancer showed an association with radiation exposure.
- Plutonium intakes were linked to an increased risk of bone cancer.
- No association was found between radiation dose and ischemic heart disease.
Conclusions:
- Radiation exposure at LANL showed limited association with major cancer risks like lung cancer and leukemia.
- Specific cancers, including esophageal and bone cancer, exhibited associations with radiation and plutonium.
- Further pooled analyses with other nuclear facilities are recommended for more precise evaluations.
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