By Lars Niven

THE SNP have called for a detailed study into cancer rates among people living near nuclear sites, after a report revealed a cluster of cases near Rosyth Dockyard.

It showed higher than expected numbers of people living near the Fife yard had leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

However, the authors of the report, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment, said it was not possible to say if the dockyard was to blame.

They were commissioned to investigate whether nuclear facilities, such as power stations like Dounreay, posed a threat to people’s health, particularly children.

While COMARE insisted there was no evidence to suggest living near nuclear power stations increased the rate of childhood cancers, they did make one unexpected discovery.

Researchers found while the overall incidence of leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma near Rosyth was roughly what they expected, there was evidence of increasing risk when looking at differing distances from the site.

Chairman Professor Bryn Bridges said it was not possible to say whether there was a genuine risk that people living near the dockyard would develop such cancers.

There was no trend in cases of solid tumours in terms of distance from the site, but the team did find a “significantly” higher incidence in the 25-kilometre area.

Professor Bridges said the higher rate might reflect previously reported high rates of people developing tumours in the central nervous system in Fife and Lothian.

More research into the subject is already under way.

Bruce Crawford, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said he was concerned the report raised more questions than answers.

“Time after time it is shown that nuclear facilities produce unusual levels of health problems in their vicinity,” he said.

“In my view, it is time for the Scottish Executive to step in and carry out a detailed and comprehensive study to get to the bottom of what’s actually going on in this area.

“We need to be able to put people’s minds at rest.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said, “While the general findings are reassuring for cancer incidence around nuclear sites in Scotland, we note the particular findings for Rosyth and the recommendations for further investigations.

“These further investigations are already under way and we will assess the implications of their findings as soon as they are available.”

Dr Lesley Macdonald, director of public health at NHS Fife, said, “We are aware of the report and are looking into the findings.”

Babcock, the private firm which has owned Rosyth Dockyard since 1997, declined to comment.

However, a source pointed out there was very little radioactive material within the complex. Several decommissioned nuclear submarines are stored afloat, but the fuel used to power them has long since been removed.

There is secure storage within the yard, but only low-level radioactive material is kept.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said it had noted the contents of the COMARE report.

A spokesman said, “It recommends that there should be an investigation into the apparent increases of leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases near Rosyth.

“While we are not responsible for carrying out any such investigation, we will provide any assistance possible to investigating agencies, such as monitoring data.

“We publish results of our monitoring for radioactivity in food and the environment each year.

“The results show that even the highest doses received by members of the Scottish public were still well within international dose limits.

“Research is being carried out into the nature of clusters across the UK as a whole, not just clusters near nuclear installations.

“We understand that more information on these general studies will be included by COMARE in its next report.

“We are also responsible for regulating radioactive discharges from Rosyth.

“We are satisfied that the site is complying with its authorisations and discharge limits and we have no significant concerns about the site’s ability to continue operating within its authorisations.”