Nuclear Plant Closures Reduce Infant Deaths
4-29-00
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A study released on Wednesday
links the closure of nuclear reactors to lower levels of
infant deaths, saying that radiation seepage into
groundwater and the food supply harms young people.
The report, presented at a media conference by
researchers, supermodel and anti-nuclear activist
Christie Brinkley, and Democratic Representative Michael
Forbes of New York, blasted the federal government for
not doing more to protect young children from cancer
risks tied to nuclear reactors.
The group wants the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) to take into account local health risks caused by
radiation exposure from reactors, especially for the 42
million Americans living downwind and under 50 miles (80
km) from nuclear plants.
"As a mother of young children who lives near nuclear
facilities, I worry daily that radiation from these
plants may be deadly to our children," Brinkley said.
The study, which was rebutted sharply by the nuclear
power industry, was conducted by Joseph Mangano, a
research associate at the New York-based Radiation and
Public Health Project.
Mangano said improvements in infant death rates related
to when nearby reactors were closed. For example, after
the Rancho Seco reactor in California was shut in 1989, a
16 percent decrease was recorded in infant deaths, he
said.
"Fetal and infant health near Rancho Seco lagged
following reactor start-up, and improved significantly
for at least seven years after closing," according to
the report, which is published in the Journal of
Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology.
The NRC in March approved a 20-year extension of the
operating license for the Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in
eastern Maryland, marking the first time an original
license was extended for an American commercial nuclear
plant.
"The NRC rules do not consider adverse health effects
of radioactive emissions when considering license renewal
applications," Mangano said.
A spokesman for the commission said the charges were
wrong. She noted that the NRC consistently monitors and
assesses the levels of radiation being emitted from
nuclear plants, and considers the health effects during
the licensing process.
"We look at the impact on the health and the
environment," the NRC spokeswoman said.
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said the report was an
example of "science by celebrity," and part of an
anti-nuclear agenda.
NEI said annual exposure for the nearest resident from a
nuclear power plant has been less than 1 millirem,
compared to the annual average exposure from nature of
300 millirem. ------------------------------ Don Kosloff dkosloff@ncweb.com 2910 Main St, Perry OH 44081
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