Incidence of thyroid cancer surrounding Three Mile Island nuclear facility: the 30-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
Original data reported a potential increased incidence of thyroid cancer surrounding the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear facility. A causal link to the accident, however, was indeterminate. Our objective was to determine if data 30 years later will change original conclusions, explore thyroid cancer incidence rates near nuclear power plants, and better understand effects of chronic low level radiation.


METHODS
Retrospective cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Retrospective data for specific Pennsylvania counties were provided by the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry Dataset for thyroid cancer using the Epidemiological Query and Mapping System search engine. Our study examines thyroid cancer incidence from 1985 through 2009 analyzed by year, county, and age.


RESULTS
Thirty years after the TMI accident, an increased incidence of thyroid cancer is seen in counties south of TMI and in high-risk age groups. The average incidence rates from 1990 through 2009 were greater than expected in York, Lancaster, Adams, and Chester Counties.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid cancer incidence since the TMI accident was greater than expected in the counties analyzed when compared to local and national population growth. This supports a link to chronic low level radiation exposure and thyroid cancer development. Despite these findings, a direct correlation to the accident remains uncertain as incidence rates may coincide with other factors, and original data were limited.
Section of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Pinnacle Health System, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
Roger J
RJ
Levin
Nicole F
NF
De Simone
Jaime F
JF
Slotkin
Baker L
BL
Henson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
131I exposure; Three Mile Island; Thyroid cancer; nuclear accident