Why were certain diseases associated with the contaminants of concern in Port Hope considered to be implausible health effects of the Port Hope nuclear industry?
A12. Cancers like breast cancer and leukemia are associated with high doses of gamma radiation to the whole body. These types are cancers are considered implausible health effects in Port Hope because the dose from even extraordinarily high levels of these uranium decay products is very low. Such a low dose cannot be considered an additional carcinogen. Uranium miner cohort studies show no convincing link between gamma doses from uranium and excess incidence of leukemia. Health effects from human exposure to arsenic, ammonia and fluoride in Port Hope are also considered implausible. Health effects from these contaminants are only seen at very high concentrations. These contaminants are all at low levels, below those at which health effects would be expected. Other heavy metal contaminants found in Port Hope are not considered contaminants of potential concern because they occur in trace amounts. Even the plausible potential health effects from uranium (kidney disease), radium (bone can
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