Cancer deaths ‘not caused by radiation’

Press, 27 March 1980, Page 2

Cancer deaths ‘not caused by radiation’

PA ' ’ Hamilton A committee of inquiry into alleged cancer deaths at the University of Waikato has concluded that there is no relationship between the deaths of five former students and radiation.

In a report tabled at the University of Waikato council meeting yesterday, the committee said it had inspected relevant laboratory facilities and concluded that they were properly maintained by the university licensee, and conformed with standards laid down by the National • Radiation Laboratory.

The inquiry was called at the request of The ViceChancellor (Dr D. Llewellyn) after the student newspaper, “Nexus,” alleged that four, and possibly more deaths might have been connected with a university biology isotope laboratory. The committee spent two days at the universtiy coinpiling its report. In the report, the inquiry team of four scientists concluded: — There was nothing to

suggest that handling of radioactive materials in the biological sciences department was defective. Procedures . and requirements might in fact be considered over-cautious for the activities of radioactive materials handled; — Even if the handling of radioactive materials by students in the department had been careless, radiation doses received would be very small in relation to natural background annual dose rates; and

— The allegation that deaths from cancer may have been a result of radiation exposure received in the biological sciences department was totally unfounded.

The report said any further investigation would be at the pleasure of the university senate, and would be entirely separate from the present investigation. The four members of the 'inquiry committee were Professor J. Probert, Auckland; Mr Hi R“ Atkinson, Christchurch; Dr Smith, Wellington;:, and Dr M. Gilmour, Auckland. ■ ■