Response to the South and West Devon and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authorities study of leukaemia in the area around the Devonport Royal Dockyard

This study was carried out to test the claim by CANSAR that Plymouth is a leukaemia "black spot". The Environment Agency has asked COMARE's opinion of this study and its relevance to the consultation on the draft authorisation to discharge radioactive waste from the Devonport Royal Dockyard. The study is jointly authored by the two Health Authorities also consulted on the Devonport Royal Dockyard application.

COMARE welcomes this study that examines the incidence and death rate from leukaemia in the Plymouth and Caradon area. The data are clearly presented and appropriate comparisons and statistical methods have been used. The data demonstrate that there is no evidence that the incidence of leukaemia in the areas around the Plymouth Dockyard is higher than the rest of the Plymouth area or the South West in General.

The Health Authorities then use these data, together with estimates of the likely dose from the Dockyard discharges, to conclude that there is no evidence to oppose the proposed development on health grounds. COMARE agree that these are sound conclusions from the data available.

The Health Authority also conclude that there is no justification for special health monitoring in the area of the dockyard, but suggest that surveillance around nuclear sites in general should be a matter for consideration nationally. COMARE considered this matter some time ago and in its Third Report recommended that studies of the geographical distribution of childhood cancer incidence be carried out on a nationwide basis enabling patterns around nuclear sites to be seen in the context of patterns seen in the rest of the country. This study is almost complete and will be considered by this committee in the near future. We are also aware that in response to public concern, Government is considering the feasibility of supporting a study of adult cancer in the regions close to nuclear power stations in the UK, to be carried out by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU).

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