Pediatric Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the Vicinity of Nuclear Power Plants in Illinois

BACKGROUND: There has always been public concern over the cancer risk for people living near nuclear facilities. With a number of nuclear power plants operated throughout the state of Illinois, the current study was conducted to address this concern. OBJECTIVE: Examined the pediatric cancer risk in relation to the proximity of nuclear power plants in Illinois. METHODS: Evaluations were conducted at both the county and ZIP code levels. Ageadjusted cancer incidence and mortality rates for children aged from 0 to 14 for years 1990 to 2002 were calculated for nuclear facility county group (NFCG) and nuclear facility ZIP code group (NFZG), respectively, and then compared with those for the matched non-nuclear facility county group (NNFCG) or non-nuclear facility ZIP code group (NNFZG). The statistical significance of the rate difference was determined from rate ratio and associated 95 percentage confidence interval. Rates based on state and national levels served as additional comparisons. A Poisson regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of proximity to nuclear power plants on cancer incidence while adjusting for race, sex and age. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric cancer incidence and mortality rates for NFCG or NFZG were not significantly different from those for their comparison groups. In addition, there was no evidence of increased trend in cancer incidence rate after startup of nuclear power plants. The Poisson regression model showed that proximity to nuclear power plants was not a significant indicator of variation of cancer incidence. This study confirmed research findings reported previously in Illinois. However, continued monitoring of cancer risk in the concerned area is warranted.