Lung cancer in radiochemical industry workers

The frequency of lung cancer was investigated among 2346 workers in the radiochemical plant 'Mayak' who were exposed to radiation, both externally and internally from incorporation of plutonium. The results from the follow-up were analysed in terms of a linear relative risk model, accounting for the protracted exposures. On the basis of the observed data, it is deduced that the life-span incidence of radiation-induced lung cancer is several times larger than the value 0.0085 Sv-1 that is recommended in ICRP Publication 60 for the risk to this organ.