From Gerry Kendall and Colin Muirhead, National Radiological Protection Board
You mention epidemiological studies undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) into the health of those who took part in Britain’s atmospheric nuclear weapons tests (23 November, p 14). New Scientist has not seen the results of the latest study and the suggestions in your article about what it will conclude are speculation. A response to the claims made in the article is at www.nrpb.org/press/response_statements/2002/response_statement_7_02.htm
In 1998, Sue Rabbit Roff of the University of Dundee found more cases of multiple myeloma among veterans. We are grateful to her for helping to make a detailed intercomparison of her cases with those held by NRPB.
Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
