Sir, April 26 marks the 20th anniversary of the world’s biggest nuclear accident. There are many current reports of the effects of Chernobyl, but what has been most striking is the lack of agreement.

For example, the International Atomic Energy Authority and World Health Organisation predict 4,000 deaths because of exposure to radiation, while the International Agency for Research on Cancer cite 16,000 and Greenpeace predict 90,000. Newspaper reports suggest that there have been 500,000 Chernobyl deaths in Ukraine.

Much attention has been given to the dramatic increase in thyroid cancer and all reports agree that the main cause of death is likely to be cancers of other tissues, yet there have been no comprehensive, co-ordinated studies looking at all the possible health consequences of the accident.

This is in contrast to Nagasaki and Hiroshima, where the Radiation Effects Research Foundation showed that the main increase in most types of cancer and non-cancer diseases only became apparent many years after exposure to radiation from the atomic bombs.

It is essential that a similar institute is created to follow the long-term effects of Chernobyl. There is a loss of public confidence in the ability of the IAEA and the WHO to deal fairly with Chernobyl-related matters. A “Chernobyl effects research foundation” could be directly created by the UN, supported by a UN fund derived from a levy on the nuclear industry and with contributions from “nuclear” governments. The foundation, which could be based in the UN university, would have an independent scientific governing body. Until this is done, speculation based on unsubstantiated figures will continue.

We hope that the Chernobyl tragedy will never be repeated. But the suffering of those already affected by the accident should not be compounded by a failure to provide future generations with an accurate account of its effects.

SIR DILLWYN WILLIAMS
Emeritus Professor of Histopathology
University of Cambridge
DR JUNE CROWN
Chair, Medact

Explore Letters

• Feedback