Chernobyl and public health

"Radiation and Risk" 1999. Volume 11, pp.112-123
The article was published in the journal BMJ, 1998, No. 7136, pp. 952-953. The translation is published with the author's kind consent and authorization of the publisher.

Authors

Baverstok K.

WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, Rome, Italy

Abstract

In 1992, radiologists were sceptical about the report on the impact of the Chernobyl accident on the incidence of thyroid cancer in children. Undoubtedly, this skepticism was scientifically justified to some extent ("iodine-131 has a low carcinogenic effect"). In most cases, reservations were withdrawn by reviewing data on the effect of X-rays on the occurrence of thyroid cancer, as well as in determining the number of children exposed to radiation. This is a warning story about how a scientific instinct can lead to delusion. If there were no such disputes, aid could have come faster. However, such disputes even now reduce our ability to study the long-term lessons of Chernobyl and provide assistance to its victims.

Key words
Chernobyl, public health, iodine-131, thyroid cancer in children, incidence of thyroid cancer, the effect of X-rays.

Full text article (in Russian)