Research and Development Programs in Radiation Epidemiology for Public Health in Korea

The characterization of ionizing radiation as a human carcinogen affecting most organs was a major achievement in epidemiological studies. Although high-dose or high-dose rate radiation effects are well established, the health impacts of low-dose or low-dose rate exposure (<100 mSv) remain controversial, which brings significant social attention and scientific inquiry. This paper outlined the current status and future plans of radiation epidemiology in Korea, focusing on research developments based on legal grounds, including the Korean Radiation Workers Study (KRWS) and epidemiological studies of aircrews and residents near nuclear facilities. The KRWS encompasses a large cohort of approximately 200 000 current and retired radiation workers, integrating individual dose data collected since 1984 with national health datasets to assess cancer and non-cancer risks. Initial findings showed a decrease in overall cancer incidence among workers compared to the general population, though thyroid cancer rates were higher, possibly due to increased screening. In 2023, new studies on aircrews and residents near nuclear facilities began, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses of existing studies, as well as ecological analyses of regional cancer risks. Despite challenges in low-dose research, these large-scale Korean studies using comprehensive national health data are expected to provide scientific evidence on the effects of low-dose radiation and address public concerns about radiation exposure.