A study published in Science Advances looks at dog populations inhabiting the nuclear exclusion zone. Prof Jim Smith, Professor … read more
A conference abstract (not a published paper) presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference gives results from a 30-year analysis … read more
A conference abstract (not a published paper) presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine 2022 meeting, looks at the … read more
The Met Office are predicting high levels of UV radiation on Thursday 25th June. Dr Michaela Hegglin, Associate Professor … read more
The television presenter Eamonn Holmes made comments about the reporting 5G radiation and COVID-19. Prof Brendan Wren, Professor of … read more
There have been reports of people who think 5G mobile networks have caused the coronavirus outbreak. Prof Malcolm Sperrin, … read more
Research, published in PLOS Genetics, reports that low doses of radiation used in medical imaging may lead to mutations in cell cultures. … read more
A study, published in JAMA, reports on on acupuncture for side effects of radiation treatment in head and neck cancers. … read more
A study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, reports that electromagnetic fields have an impact on the internal … read more
High levels of a radioactive isotope were discovered in parts of Russia in September. read more
People have always been exposed to ionising radiation, and more so in modern life thanks to its uses in medicine, industry and the military. The health risks from medium- and high-level radiation are relatively well-understood, but the risks at low levels are debated, and mixed messages about safety from different sources are confusing for both the public and for policy makers. read more
New research published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology reports that when endothelial cells are grown in a dish and exposed to radiation, there are molecular changes, and authors suggest this could mean ionizing radiation may have a harmful effect on cardiovascular health.
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Childhood leukaemia is rare, affecting approximately 500 children every year in the UK. There have been numerous studies and reports on the possible risks of childhood leukaemia in the vicinity of nuclear installations and there are acknowledged historical clusters of childhood leukaemia around both Sellafield and Dounreay nuclear sites. Recent reports of raised thyroid cancer incidence following reactor accidents in other countries have led to increased interest in the possible consequences of the 1957 Windscale fire. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) is publishing its 17th report, ‘Further consideration of the incidence of cancers around the nuclear installations at Sellafield and Dounreay’ – a comprehensive review of the incidence of leukaemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and other cancers among young people around the Sellafield and Dounreay nuclear installations, updating its previous work. COMARE is a Department of Health Expert Committee providing independent advice to all government departments and agencies. read more
The board of the French energy firm EDF has approved the funding of a new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset. These comments were issued following that decision but the UK government has subsequently decided to review the project with a decision expected in the autumn. read more
The US National Toxicology Program has released partial findings from a study into the effects of radiofrequency radiation such as is found from mobile phones. read more
In May 2016 the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee conducted an inquiry into Science in emergencies: chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents. The Science Media Centre submitted written evidence and was also called to give oral evidence to the committee.
The fifth anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster is on 11th March 2016 and is being marked by a special edition of the journal Clinical Oncology. read more
There is a known association between exposure to high levels of radiation and cancer, and a study published in The BMJ has examined whether or not low doses of ionising radiation increase the risk of solid cancers. The authors report that the rate of cancer increases with exposure to radiation in a linear manner, along with mortality. read more
The first large scale study of mammal populations in the 4,200 square kilometre human exclusion zone around Chernobyl has been completed by scientists. The zone was exposed to chronic radiation following the 1986 accident; nearly 30 years later, researchers have accurate data on the dual impacts on mammal populations of a radioactive environment and the exclusion of humans. read more
