Analysis of cancer incidence and mortality rates of staff at plutonium production of siberian chemical plant

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the oncological morbidity and mortality of the personnel of the plutonium production of the Siberian Chemical Plant. Material and methods: An assessment of the indicators and standardized relative risk of oncological morbidity and mortality of the personnel of the plutonium production of the Siberian Chemical Plant was performed. Cases of malignant neoplasms and deaths due to them in the period 1950–2020 were analyzed for the personnel hired in the period 1950–2015. Results: In the structure of oncological morbidity and mortality among plutonium production personnel in the period 1950–2020, malignant neoplasms of the digestive organs, respiratory system, urinary tract, genital organs, and mammary gland (in women) were the leading ones. Among the female personnel of the study group, the risks of developing malignant neoplasms with the corresponding total dose of external radiation (mSv) were statistically significantly increased for the digestive organs (> 0 mSv, > 20–50 mSv), respiratory system (> 0 mSv, > 0–20 mSv), skin (> 0 mSv), mammary gland (> 0 mSv, > 20–50 mSv), genitourinary organs (> 0 mSv), as well as malignant neoplasms of all localizations combined (> 0 mSv, > 20–50 mSv). In male personnel, the risk of death due to malignant neoplasms was significantly increased in the respiratory system (> 150–200 mSv and > 300–500 mSv), skin (> 20–50 mSv), and urinary tract (> 20–50 mSv). Male personnel in the study group also had a statistically significantly increased risk of death due to malignant neoplasms (with a corresponding total external radiation dose, mSv) of the digestive system (> 100–150 mSv and > 150–200 mSv), respiratory system (> 300–500 mSv), urinary tract (> 0 mSv, > 20–50 mSv), and genitals (> 0 mSv and > 300–500 mSv). Among female personnel – digestive organs (> 0 mSv, > 20–50 mSv), respiration (> 0 mSv, > 0–20 mSv), mammary glands (> 0 mSv, > 20–50 mSv), genital organs (> 0 mSv) and all localizations combined (> 0 mSv, > 20–50 mSv). Conclusion: Male personnel are characterized by an increased risk of developing malignant neoplasms at doses above 150 mSv (for the respiratory system) and mortality due to malignant neoplasms at doses above 300 mSv (for the respiratory system) and at doses above 150 mSv (for the digestive system). For all other identified malignant neoplasm sites in men, as well as in women, the increased risks of morbidity and mortality are predominantly in the range of up to 50 mSv.