Stark et al presented an ecological analysis of childhood leukaemia risk (0–14 years) in Dumfries and Galloway (Occup Environ Med 2007;64:66–8). Using three nested area bands A, B and C the authors found that in the period 1975–2003 there was no trend in incidence rate by distance from the radioactively contaminated coast. But their reasoning is flawed: the authors are examining the hypothesis that radiation may have increased …