BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- German scientists found that young children living near nuclear power plants have a significantly higher risk of developing leukemia and other forms of cancer, media reported Monday.

    Researchers found that 37 children within a 5-kilometer radius of nuclear power plants had developed leukemia between 1980 and 2003, while the statistical average during this time period was 17.

    An unnamed radiation protection expert familiar with the study said its conclusions understated the problem. He said the data showed there was an increased cancer risk for children living within 50 kilometers of a reactor.

    "Our study confirmed that in Germany a connection has been observed between the distance of a domicile to the nearest nuclear power plant .... and the risk of developing cancer, such as leukemia, before the fifth birthday," researchers said.

    Germany plans to prematurely shut down all of its nuclear power plants by the early 2020s.

    (Agencies)