Oregon Malignancy Pattern and Radioisotope Storage: A Reappraisal

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Abstract
Because of recent concern over possible contamination of the Columbia River by radioactive products from the Hanford (Washington) Atomic Storage Preserve, an independent study was undertaken to determine cancer trends in Washington and Oregon from 1934 to 1963. For the analysis, the counties within the 2 states were divided into 4 categories: river, ocean, Metropolitan Portland, and inland. Results of the study revealed that in both states mortality rates for all forms of cancer combined were consistently below the mortality rate for the U. S. white population. Both states had a consistent excess in leukemia mortality, but the excess was present before the Hanford Preserve began operation. No important mortality trends were observed in individual counties in either state. No evidence was found that persons living downstream from the Hanford Preserve or along the Pacific coast of Oregon have an excess risk of death from cancer in general or from leukemia in particular.

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