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Data

Hypothetical number of deaths from energy production

About this data

Source
Markandya and Wilkinson (2007) – processed by Our World in Data
Last updated
May 1, 2017
Date range
2014–2014
Unit
deaths

Sources and processing

This data is based on the following sources

Markandya and Wilkinson – Electricity generation and health

Data was derived from Table 2 in Markandya, A., & Wilkinson, P. (2007). Electricity generation and health. The Lancet, 370(9591), 979-990. Available at: doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61253-7.

This data is based on European energy production standards and practices. Data includes both acute and chronic effects (chronic effects account for between 88% and 99% of total deaths). Figures for nuclear include all cancer-related deaths. The figures for death rates per TWh for cancer-related nuclear deaths by Markandya, A., & Wilkinson, P. (2007) are calculated on a theoretical basis using a method called the "linear, no-threshold model". The basis of this model assumes that the number of deaths is directly and linearly proportional to the dosage of radiation; additionally it assumes there is no lower limit or "safe" level of exposure, meaning individuals are at risk even at very low doses.

Retrieved on
May 1, 2017
Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61253-7
Citation
This is the citation of the original data obtained from the source, prior to any processing or adaptation by Our World in Data. To cite data downloaded from this page, please use the suggested citation given in Reuse This Work below.
Markandya, A., & Wilkinson, P. (2007). Electricity generation and health. The Lancet, 370(9591), 979-990.

Data was derived from Table 2 in Markandya, A., & Wilkinson, P. (2007). Electricity generation and health. The Lancet, 370(9591), 979-990. Available at: doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61253-7.

This data is based on European energy production standards and practices. Data includes both acute and chronic effects (chronic effects account for between 88% and 99% of total deaths). Figures for nuclear include all cancer-related deaths. The figures for death rates per TWh for cancer-related nuclear deaths by Markandya, A., & Wilkinson, P. (2007) are calculated on a theoretical basis using a method called the "linear, no-threshold model". The basis of this model assumes that the number of deaths is directly and linearly proportional to the dosage of radiation; additionally it assumes there is no lower limit or "safe" level of exposure, meaning individuals are at risk even at very low doses.

Retrieved on
May 1, 2017
Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61253-7
Citation
This is the citation of the original data obtained from the source, prior to any processing or adaptation by Our World in Data. To cite data downloaded from this page, please use the suggested citation given in Reuse This Work below.
Markandya, A., & Wilkinson, P. (2007). Electricity generation and health. The Lancet, 370(9591), 979-990.

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All data and visualizations on Our World in Data rely on data sourced from one or several original data providers. Preparing this original data involves several processing steps. Depending on the data, this can include standardizing country names and world region definitions, converting units, calculating derived indicators such as per capita measures, as well as adding or adapting metadata such as the name or the description given to an indicator.

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Citations

How to cite this page

To cite this page overall, including any descriptions, FAQs or explanations of the data authored by Our World in Data, please use the following citation:

“Data Page: Hypothetical number of deaths from energy production”. Our World in Data (2026). Data adapted from Markandya and Wilkinson. Retrieved from https://archive.ourworldindata.org/20260512-085513/grapher/hypothetical-number-of-deaths-from-energy-production.html [online resource] (archived on May 12, 2026).

How to cite this data

In-line citationIf you have limited space (e.g. in data visualizations), you can use this abbreviated in-line citation:

Markandya and Wilkinson (2007) – processed by Our World in Data

Full citation

Markandya and Wilkinson (2007) – processed by Our World in Data. “Hypothetical number of deaths from energy production” [dataset]. Markandya and Wilkinson, “Electricity generation and health” [original data]. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://archive.ourworldindata.org/20260512-085513/grapher/hypothetical-number-of-deaths-from-energy-production.html (archived on May 12, 2026).

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