| This multiple-site analytic data file set consists of four files generated for a childhood leukemia case-control study, published in 1997, of childhood cancers near three DOE sites. |
| The focus of the study is to evaluate if childhood leukemia is associated with the exposure of parents to radiation before the conception of the child. The study’s principal investigator, epidemiologist Lowell Sever, Ph.D., proposed the study following publication of the British study by Martin Gardner that found an association between paternal preconception exposure to radiation and childhood cancer. Researchers were to use a variety of sources to identify children under 15 years of age from Benton and Franklin Counties who were diagnosed as having leukemia between 1957 and 1991. These two counties are the closest to Hanford. Up to eight controls, children without leukemia, were to be chosen for each case of leukemia identified. If the parents of the children identified as cases and controls worked at Hanford, researchers also were to determine the parents’ exposure to radiation both prior to conception and during pregnancy. Statistical analyses were to examine associations between parental employment at Hanford and the risk of childhood leukemia and between parental radiation exposure and the presence or absence of childhood leukemia. A final report was expected to be available in 1996. |
| The purpose of this multiple-site study was to investigate cases of three major categories of childhood cancers in the populations around Hanford, the INEL site, and the K-25, Y-12, and X-10 facilities at Oak Ridge. The hypothesis of an association between childhood cancer risk and paternal preconception occupational radiation exposure was examined. This hypothesis was based on the finding of such an association in the population around the Sellafield nuclear facility in England (Gardner, et al. 1990). Since the publication of Gardner’s findings, several other studies have been conducted using different approaches to explore the same question. |
| This childhood leukemia investigation was carried out in three phases. The first phase was a pilot study at Hanford to test all aspects of a case-control study and examine the proposed design of the study. The second phase was to determine the feasibility of adding other DOE sites. The third phase was to conduct this case control study at Hanford and two additional DOE sites. |
| A total of 233 children meeting the case definitions for this study were identified. Fathers of 28 of these cases were employed at one of the three sites prior to their child’s conception. For each case whose father worked at one of the study sites, controls were restricted to those children whose fathers also worked at that site. Additional unrestricted control children were also identified for each case from birth certificates. |
| The results of this study, for all cancer types combined, for leukemia and lymphoma, both for individual DOE facilities and for the three facilities combined, are consistent with a null hypothesis of no association between paternal preconception exposure and risk of these forms of childhood cancer. These findings do not support the earlier association observed in the Gardener study and are consistent with subsequent studies that have failed to demonstrate (observe) increased risks associated with preconception doses of radiation received by fathers employed by nuclear facilities. |
| MFCLCCA1_d1 (HFMLKCAS) has one record for each of 233 cases and contains the same types of information as MFCLCCA1_d3 (HFMLKCON). MFCLCCA1_d3 (HFMLKCON) has one record for each of 1,036 controls. This file contains demographic data, information from hospitals, and DOE employment status. MFCLCCA1_d2 (HFMLKCAD) has one record for each of 57 cases and contains the same types of information as MFCLCCA1_d4 (HFMLKCOD). MFCLCCA1_d4 (HFMLKCOD) has one record for each of 382 controls. This file
contains dosimetry and work history data. |
| The Hanford site and its activities are described in Section 6 of the CEDR catalog. The Hanford analytic data file sets in Appendix B also provide information about this site. INEL facilities are located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and on an 890-square-mile tract west of Idaho Falls. Historically, a leader in DOE reactor technology programs and engineering projects, INEL conducts applied research and development to support the missions of DOE and other government agencies. It has expertise in biotechnology, chemical and engineering sciences, instrumentation development, materials and materials processing, nuclear reactor research technology, information and communications technology, sensor development and measurement science, mechanical and electronic system development, robotics, computational intelligence, and environmental and waste treatment technology. |
| The K-25, Y-12, and X-10 facilities at the Oak Ridge site and their activities are described in Section 6 of the CEDR catalog. The Oak Ridge analytic data file sets in Appendix B also provide information about these facilities. |
| This study was funded by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
