Living near a reactor is linked with a 10-time higher rate of breast cancer, and higher rates of leukemia, childhood cancers and infant mortality. An accident at a reactor could kill thousands immediately and later through the health effects of radiation exposure.
This is one of the areas where people are simply scared into believing such statements as the one above. In fact a Gallup study for USCEA in 1991 found that the most common word associations with “radiation” were: “cancer, sickness, burns and death” at 36%; “destruction and danger” at 21%; and “nuclear bombs or war” at 21%. The media is the most responsible party for such relations. The subjects of the study stated they formed their impressions about radiation from news reporting (84%) and movies and television (61%). Therefore with these images embedded in the public’s mind it is often difficult to get people to listen to the real facts. There are endless benefits to the use of radiation including: treating some diseases (13 million medical procedures each year involve radiation), smoke detectors, testing prescription drugs for harmful side effects, providing power for satellites, and exploring for oil, gas, and natural resources. The truth is that radiation has been studied for more than 80 years and can be closely monitored and controlled. There are strict regulations and standards for all plants and storage facilities monitored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In fact the National Cancer Institute has concluded that “there is no evidence of any increase of cancer among people living in counties near power plants.” It has been shown that people living next to a power plant receive more radiation from granite buildings, consumer products and nature in general. As far as the plants themselves, there are multiple safety features that prevent any release of high levels of radiation exposure. “Nuclear power was dealt a heavy blow by the tragedy of the 1986 Chernobyl accident, a blow from which the reputation of the nuclear industry has never fully recovered.” (planetark.com) Using predictive computer programs many scenarios have been run through and precautions made to avoid any significant exposure to the public. Therefore, although many people associate power plants and radiation with negative images, the truth is that they are constructed with the people’s safety at the forefront and there have been no accidents that should make people doubt their integrity.