Estimated lifetime cancer risks attributed to low-level irradiation

site irradiated cancers per 10,000 person-Sv*

bone marrow (leukemia) 15–20

thyroid 25–120

breast (women only) 40–200

lung 25–140

stomach

liver 5–60 (each)

colon

bone

esophagus

small intestine 5–30 (each)

urinary bladder

pancreas

lymphatic tissue

skin 10–20

total (both sexes) 125–1,000

*The unit person-Sv represents the product of the average dose per person times the number of people exposed (1 sievert to each of 10,000 persons = 10,000 person-Sv); all values provided here are rounded.

Source: National Academy of Sciences Advisory Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation, The Effects on Populations of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation (1972, 1980); United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation (1977 report to the General Assembly, with annexes).