Abstract
There is controversy as to whether low levels of radiation (i.e., < 5 rem) pose a health risk. This brief inquiry compares archived cancer mortality data in counties having relatively low (0-250 feet above sea level), medium (500-1000 feet above sea level), and high (3000+ feet above sea level) elevations also having corresponding greater natural back- ground levels of radiation respectively. Cancer mortality was found to be lowest in the high elevation counties (mean = 58.2) followed by low elevation counties (67.5) and then medium elevation counties (70.4). Statistically significant differences were found between low –high elevations (p = 0.003), and medium – high elevations (p = 0.010), but not between low and medium elevations (p = 0.5). More rigorous research, with an accounting of con- founding variables, is indicated.
Recommended Citation
Hart, John
(2010)
"MEAN CANCER MORTALITY RATES IN LOW VERSUS HIGH ELEVATION COUNTIES IN TEXAS,"
Dose-Response: An International Journal: Vol. 8:
Iss.
4, Article 6.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dose_response/vol8/iss4/6