Comparison of Radiation Risk of Cancer Incidence among PA Mayak Workers Hired at Different Calendar Periods
Purpose: comparative epidemiological analysis of cancer incidence rates among PA Mayak workers hired at different calendar periods. Material and Methods: The cohort of PA Mayak workers hired at reactors, radiochemical, plutonium, water preparing and repair plants in 1948-1982 was selected for analysis of solid cancer (except lung, liver and bone) incidence. The cohort was divided into two subcohorts 1948-1958 and 1959-1982 years of hire. Regression models of relative risk included the description of background rates and excess radiation risk was used. Results: The radiation relative risk per 1 Gy was (ERR/Gy: 0.11; 95 % CI: 0.02; 0.21) in the subcohort of workers hired in 1948–1958 and was close to the estimates from previous studies for the whole cohort. In the subcohort of workers hired in 1959–1982 the point estimate of ERR/Gy was 3 times higher than in the subcohort 1948–1958 years of hire, but it was not statistically significant in the whole dose range. Restriction of doses up to 2 Gy allowed to get significant estimate of ERR/Gy (0.45; 95 % CI: 0.04; 0.95), which 4 times higher the estimate in the first subcohort calculated with the same restriction (0.11; 95 % CI: -0.01; 0.25). All subcohorts differences were not statistically significant and we can say about point distinctions only.