Radiation Worries for Children in Dentists’ Chairs

Because children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to radiation, doctors three years ago mounted a national campaign to protect them by reducting diagnostic radiation to only those levels seen as absolutely necessary. But the message has not resonated in dental offices. New York Times (registration required)

Ohio cancer cluster families, communities still seek answers

While families continue to combat childhood cancer in eastern Sandusky County, Ohio, answers are still elusive. The Ohio EPA completed air, water and wildlife testing in the area and discovered no chemical or pollutant that constitutes as a smoking gun. But a new survey and radiation testing could shed light on the cases. Sandusky Register.

Beyond Nuclear note: Sandusky County, Ohio is the county directly south of the county where the Davis Besse nuclear reactor is located.

Childhood radiation therapy linked to stillbirths later on

Women who, as children, had radiation cancer treatment on reproductive areas are more likely to experience a stillbirth or have a baby die in the first four weeks of life, a new report says. See the story.

Toxic legacy of US assault on Fallujah 'worse than Hiroshima.'

Dramatic increases in infant mortality, cancer and leukaemia in the Iraqui city of Fallujah, which was bombarded by US Marines in 2004, exceed those reported by survivors of the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, according to a new study. Read the full story.

Uranium in drinking water responsible for disabled children

High levels of uranium, perhaps from depleted uranium used by the US in the Iraq war, along with other heavy metals, has been found responsible for brain disabilities among children, according to Germany's Microtrace Mineral Lab. Punjab Newsline reports that hair samples of affected children contain these heavy metals, uranium being the only radioactive one. Children of the southern Malwa region of the Punjab are most affected.