Estimation of the Excess Relative Risk of Malignant Neoplasms among Workers of the Nuclear Industry – Participants of the Accident Liquidation at the Chernobyl NPP

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the excess relative risk in terms of 1 Sv on the basis of materials on the incidence of malignant neoplasms of workers in the nuclear industry – liquidators of the Chernobyl accident, as well as part of workers who worked or continue to work with sources of ionizing radiation. Material and methods: The data base of the Industry Register of persons exposed to radiation as a result of the Chernobyl accident (ORF) was used in the work. Methods of cohort analysis of the accumulated disease incidence were used, based on Poisson regression and Cox regression. Estimates of the ERR at 1 Sv were calculated using both the traditional scheme using the AMFIT module and the modified formula proposed by Paretzke. Results: It is shown that in some cases, the risk estimates obtained by the modified formula are more realistic, in other cases both estimates have similar values. Conclusion: Analysis of the incidence of solid neoplasms in the liquidator cohort showed: 1. At the dose range < 200 mSv, point estimates of relative risk indicate that there is no dose-associated risk. 2. In the low-dose range for risk assessment, a modified Poisson regression approach that is free of control specifics should be used. 3. The validity of a dose response is characterized by the risks obtained using a dose of occupational exposure. 4. An important issue is the calculation of the risk of radiation-caused diseases with the use of the total dose received by an individual from all types of radiation.