ML19291C499
| ML19291C499 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/10/1980 |
| From: | Goldsmith R NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT |
| To: | Davis A, Parsont M, Galen Smith, Sutherland G NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I), NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II), NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III), NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT |
| References | |
| FOIA-80-440, FOIA-81-8, TASK-OS, TASK-RH-722-8 NUDOCS 8001240505 | |
| Download: ML19291C499 (3) | |
Text
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C.
JAW 1 o m NOTE TO:
Document Control Room 016 FROM:
Robert Goldsmith, RHSB Office *of Standards Development Please place the attached document in the PDR using the following file and file points:
PDR File Related Documents (SelectOne)
(Enterifappropriate)
Proposed Rule (PR)
ACRS Minutes No.
Reg. Guide Proposed Rule (PR)
Draft Reg. Guide Draft Reg. Guide Petition (PRit)
Reg. Guide Effective Rule (RM) _
Petition (PRii)
Effective Rule (Rit)
Federal Register Notice SD Task flo.
RH 722-8 NUREG Report-Contract No.
Subject:
RHSB INFORMATION REPORT #6:
REPORTED INCREASE IN LUNG CANCER IHCIDENCE, DURANGO, COLORADO cc: Central Files R. B. Minogue K. R. Goller R. A. Purple M. A. Parsont p_#
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JAN 1 0 mgg DISTRIBUTION:
G. H. Smith, Region I J. T. Sutherland, Region II A. B. Davis, Region III G. D. Brown, liegion IV H. E. Book, Region V W. J. Dircks, Director, NMSS H. R. Denton, Director, NRR V. Stello, Director, IE S. Levine, Director, RES H. K. Shapar, Director, ELD N. M. Haller, Director, MPA R. G. Ryan, Director, SP J. J. Fouchhrd, Director, OPA R. B. Minogue, Director, SD K. R. Goller, DIR:SHSS:SD I. C. Roberts, AD:SGSS:SD P. Comella, Chief:SDSB:SD L. L. Beratan, Chief:SSSB:SD E. F. Conti, Chief:EPSB:SD R. A. Purple, AD:RHSS:SD R. E. Alexander, Chief:0HSB:SD W. B. Brown, Acting Chief:SGSB:SD M. A. Parsont, Chief:RHSB:SD G. A. Ariotto, DES:SD W. M. Morrison, AD:GES:SD W. F. Anderson, Chief:SCSB:SD E. C. Wenzinger, Chief:RSSB:SD J. A. Norberg, Chief:EMSB:SD R. M. Bernero, AD: MSS:SD K. G. Steyer, Chief:FPSSB:SD R. J. Jones, Chief:TPSB:SD VPDR OPE PA Thomas Murphy, RAB Chairman Ahearne Commissioner Gilinsky Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Hendrie Commirsioner Bradford 1793 171
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UNITED STATES
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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JAN 101980 NOTE T0:
Distribution FROM:
Robert Goldsmith, RHSB:SD THRU:
Michael A. Parsont, Chief, RHSB:SD
SUBJECT:
RHSB INFORMATION REPORT #6:
REPORTED INCREASE IN LUNG CANCER INCIDENCE, DURANGO, COLORADO After reviewing medical admission records for the past fifteer, years, an Indian Health Service physician recently reported that lung cancer incidence in Durango, Colorado was almost four times higher than expected.
It was suggested that environmental releases of radon, from a large uranium tailings dump site outside of town, could be related to the apparent excess lung cancer incidence.
The Colorado Department of Health has investigated these allegations by abstracting records at both Durango hospitals for 1972-1978, by examining Third National Cancer Survey data for Durango for 1969-1971, and by searching Colorado Cancer Registry and mortality records. Cases for Durango residents were also requested from the Utah and New Mexico cancer registries.
The investigation focused on leukemia, lung cancer, multiple myeloma and liver, breast, thyroid and bone tumors.
Results of a preliminary analysis are as follows :
1.
For the period 1969-1978, average annual cancer incidence rates for leukemia and tumors of the lung and breast (the only sites for which numbers were sufficiently large for statistical analysis) in Durango were not statistically significantly different from rates in Colorado as a whole.
2.
There was no discernible temporal trend in the cancer cases, but a plot by residence at time of diagnosis suggested a spatial aggregation.
The spatial distribution of lung cancer, breast cancer and leukemia indicated that in the southern part of Durango (near the tailings dump) a much greater proportion of cancer cases were lung and leukemia than in the northern part.
Conversely, the proportion of cancer cases due to breast cancer was twice as great in the northern section as in the southern part.
These results should be interpreted cautiously because they have not been adjusted for differences in age, socioeconomic status or sex distribution, and only represent numerator data.
Furthennore, the numbers of cases are extremely small and the division of Durango into north and south sections was arbitrary.
No measurements of radon levels were done.
1793 172
Distribution 2
The lack of suitable denominator data from a census of population precludes more detailed statistical analysis.
However, it seems prudent to further examine the distribution of cases with respect to duration of residence, occupation and other factors. Atmospheric measurements probably should be made.
The Colorado Department of Health is exploring the possibility of further study.
M M
/
Robert G mith Radiologi Health Standards Branch Office of Standards Development cc:
John Linehan 1793 173