In the past 15 years, over 150 employees of the country’s premier nuclear research centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre have died of cancer.
The information sought under Right to Information Act shows that 150 employees from Barc have died of the killer disease from 1995 till May 2010.
“If the person is exposed to radiation then he is more at a risk of getting cancer,” said Dr Narayan H.K.V., medical superintendent, Tata Memorial Hospital. “However it is necessary to identify how many radiation units the person has been exposed to and for how long,” added Dr Narayan.
When contacted, R.K. Sharma, head, media relations, Barc told the Asian Age that the data on cancer mortality among Barc employees during the period 1995-2010, submitted under the RTI includes serving department of atomic energy employees along with retired employees who choose to remain in their health service scheme.
“The data submitted under the RTI, pertained to death due to cancer and not due to radiation. In fact, it is not possible to identify any single factor, responsible for cancer,” said Dr Sharma.
“The department of atomic energy in the 90s, had conducted a survey which showed that cancer risks faced by DAE employees are no higher than those faced by the general population which are largely related to lifestyle, heredity and various other environmental factors,” added Dr Sharma. The RTI reply, however, does not give details regarding the department in which these employees were working.
The reply states that the data regarding patients who were diagnosed with cancer is not computerised and is not maintained separately. Hence, it is not possible to provide the break-up of the employees who have died of cancer.
Meanwhile, 15 employees have committed suicide in same period. Besides, the research and development support required to sustain peaceful applications of nuclear energy, Barc also extends its expertise to chemical processing of spent fuels, safe disposal of nuclear waste besides developing new isotope application techniques in industries, medicine, agriculture etc.