|
|
|
PRESS RELEASE
FYLINGDALES CANCER STUDY INSUFFICIENT, SAYS CND
Cancer data does not lead to “No risk” conclusion
The Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the specialist Star Wars
wing of the national organisation, today rejected the significance of
a report from Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust which
implies that RAF Fylingdales poses no radiation risk to the local community,
calling it noticeably insufficient in key areas.
The report, published today, states that there is no evidence of a link
between RAF Fylingdales and cancer registrations in the region. The report
found no significant difference in the pattern of cancer occurrences from
1991 and 1999 between the trust area and the Northern and Yorkshire Region
as a whole. However, Yorkshire CND has pointed to a number of broader
concerns that the study has not considered. Namely:
1) The radar beam is a health concern not only because of the levels
of radiation but the fact that the radiation pulses rapidly from high
to low levels. This rare type of radiation has not been properly investigated
and the potential health effects are unknown. One study that did investigate
this type of radiation concluded that there are possible effects on hormones
and the heart that are of concern.
2) The study only uses old data from an 8 year period. This study is taking
place in response to a similar study around a similar radar base at Cape
Cod in the USA. The US Government has invested millions of dollars to
fully investigate that base and is initiating new, in-depth cancer studies.
The UK government should show the same commitment and investigate fully
using new data.
3) The long-term health effects of this type of radiation are unknown.
No evidence of a link between RAF Fylingdales and cancer registrations
in the region does not allow one to conclude that the base poses no health
risks.
CND Star Wars Campaigner and Yorkshire CND Development Worker Neil Kingsnorth
said,
“We are glad that this study took place but only as a first
step to further investigation. The report is useful but its remit is insufficient.
Fylingdales poses a potential threat to health through the rare type of
pulsed radiation and through the long-term effects of the radar’s
beam. The government has a responsibility to fully investigate the whole
spectrum of potential health effects of this type of radar, over the long-term
and short term, and to study the type of radiation itself, which is little
understood. This report has not done that. We will be pursuing the issue
further to find out what steps the government plans to take next to implement
a full, significant investigation.”
Yorkshire CND has campaigned for years on the issues of Fylingdales,
Star Wars and wider nuclear issues. Its members include experts on the
base and its radiation and the regional office is responsible for CND’s
national star wars campaign. The Yorkshire CND website contains detailed
information on the base, including reports on the potential health effects
of the radiation – www.yorkshirecnd.org.uk and click on “The
Fylingdales Site”.
ENDS
NOTES
1) For further information, comment and interviews contact Neil Kingsnorth
on 07818 411823
2) Yorkshire CND is one of the country’s leading NGOs campaigning
on star wars, space weapons and the Fylingdales and Menwith Hill bases.
We always welcome press enquiries and comment
|
|
Press Archive2002
2001
2000 |
