Dr. Tsubokura's Radiation Lecture Vol.149

Author: Masaharu Tsubokura M.D., PhD.

Editors: Akihiko Ozaki M.D.,PhD., Yuki Senoo MUDr.

297. No association between parental radiation exposure and children’s health

September 27, 2020

　An investigation of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki demonstrated no detectable genetic effects, such as increased risk of cancer and other diseases, among the survivors' offspring (the second generation exposed to radiation). This article discusses the relation between parental radiation exposure and the health of their children in detail.

　First, I would like to explain the cancer risk among the offspring of the parents exposed to radiation. As various factors can contribute to cancer development, some offspring of atomic-bomb survivors died of cancer. However, according to a survey of approximately 40,000 offspring of atomic bomb survivors collected since 1958, there was no observable relationship between parental radiation exposure and cancer incidence among their children. In other words, analysis of the survey results revealed that the offspring of people who were exposed to high doses of radiation did not have a higher risk of developing cancer compared to the offspring of people who were not exposed to high doses of radiation.