Category Archives: Cover-Ups and Lies

NRC’s Con Game for High-Level Radioactive Waste – Action Needed!

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NRC’S CON-GAME FOR HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE 

GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION RESIDENTS HAVE A HUGE STAKE IN THIS DANGEROUS GAME BECAUSE LIMERICK NUCLEAR PLANT STORES MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF NUCLEAR WASTE ON SITE 

SPEAK OUT!  YOUR COMMENTS ARE NEEDED  

DEADLINE DECEMBER 20, 2013

MAJOR ISSUES FOR COMMENT ARE SUMMARIZED

IN THE ATTACHED LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PUBLISHED 10-29-13 & 11-1-13

FOR DETAILS ON LIMERICK NUCLEAR PLANT’S DANGEROUS NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE THREATS:

www.acereport.org   Summary #9:  High-Level Radioactive Wastes: A Ticking Time Bomb 

FOR TALKING POINTS ON NRC’S CON GAME:  www.nirs.org

Waste Confidence Policy

Dry Casks vs Fuel Pools

Risks of Fire in Fuel Pools

       Waste Confidence and Climate

 

SEND COMMENTS TO NRC:

 

  • E-mail to:   Rulemaking.Comments@nrc.gov.

If you don’t receive an automatic email reply confirming receipt, call 301–415–1677.

  • Fax comments to:   Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission at 301–415–1101
  • Mail comments to:  Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, ATTN:  Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.

The Mercury (http://www.pottsmerc.com)

OP-ED: Shedding Light on NRC’s Nuke Waste Con Game

Friday, November 1, 2013

Evan Brandt’s article on Oct. 5, “Gov’t Shutdown May Delay Relicensing of Limerick Nuke Plant”, explained that NRC’s 2012 court-ordered spent fuel study would be delayed by the 2013 government shutdown. Actually, the government shutdown shed light on NRC’s nuke waste con game.

There is NO safe solution for radioactive fuel rods that can remain radioactive for a million years (EPA). They’re among the deadliest materials on earth. Yet, NRC’s “Nuclear Waste Confidence” game makes unsubstantiated claims that high-level radioactive wastes can be stored safely, soundly, and securely, virtually forever. This applies to nuclear plant sites like Limerick and allows them to continue producing and piling up deadly radioactive wastes under the absurd pretense that there is a safe solution.

Unthinkable devastating health and economic consequences threaten our future whether stored in fuel pools, above ground casks, from reprocessing, or from dangerous transport to a central location. NRC’s assumptions are far-fetched and negligent, including that dry cask storage systems, structures, and components can and will be entirely replaced once per century. NRC fails to identify astronomical public costs or where funds would come from for expensive massive replacements forever. NRC irrationally assumes society is willing or able to pay such costs, even if replacement is possible.

It was insanity for NRC to even consider relicensing Limerick Nuclear Plant when there is no safe solution for its deadly radioactive wastes.

Of greatest concern are Limerick’s fuel pools, already packed beyond design capacity, and dangerously vulnerable to meltdowns with potential for unthinkable health and economic devastation. Limerick’s two fuel pools hold more than two and a half times the amount of fuel rod assemblies (6,200) than four fuel pools at Fukushima (2,400) and far more than other older U.S. nuclear plants like TMI and Oyster Creek. NRC can’t or won’t tell ACE why.

With loss of fuel pool cooling water, Limerick’s fuel rods can heat up, self-ignite, and burn in an unstoppable fire. There is no endless source of water, but May 2013, Exelon was permitted to take unlimited amounts of public water from across six counties to deal with such a disaster.

· A 2003 study shows a fire in one spent fuel pool fire could release a radioactive plume that could contaminate eight to 70 times more land than Chernobyl and render about 95,000 square kilometers of land uninhabitable.

· A spent fuel pool disaster could cause fatal radiation-induced cancer in thousands of people as far as 500 miles from Limerick. A 2004 study concluded that 44,000 near-term deaths could occur from acute radiation poisoning. People could die as far as 60 miles downwind (Philadelphia is just 20 miles downwind).

Limerick’s densely packed fuel pools are vulnerable to loss of water and meltdown through aging, accidents, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. There is much cause for concern.

· Limerick’s roof-top fuel pools, located over reactors (like Fukushima’s), are five stories high with no outside containment. Devastating leaks could occur from terrorists’ missiles or air strikes, yet Exelon provides no protection against either.

· Limerick’s fuel pool liners are corroding and thinning at rates up to 10 times faster than anticipated. NRC staff called for immediate recoating, but Exelon was allowed to delay coating for over a decade.

· Cement originally used for Limerick’s fuel pools is substandard (verified by a Limerick quality control inspector), increasing risk for loss of water from an earthquake or terrorist attack.

NRC should close Limerick now to stop producing such deadly radioactive wastes and store it safer on site. For details: www.acereport.org #9 “High-Level Radioactive Wastes: A Ticking Time Bomb.”

What can you do? Written public comments are being accepted by NRC before November 27 on NRC’s absurd Nuclear Waste conclusions. NRC needs to receive large numbers of public comments — by webform, email, snail mail or fax. Sample comments and addresses will be available at www.beyondnuclear.org or from ACE at 610-326-2387.

DR. LEWIS CUTHBERT
ACE President 

The Mercury (http://www.pottsmerc.com)

OP-ED: Spent Fuel Continues to Plague Nation’s Nuclear Power Plants

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Evan Brandt’s story, “Gov’t Shutdown May Delay Relicensing of Limerick Nuke Plant” on Oct. 5 was timely. However, the delay in relicensing has not slowed Limerick operations. Every year that Limerick operates, it creates tons of high-level radioactive wastes, deceptively called “spent fuel.”

There is nothing “spent” about this high-level radioactive waste. It is one of the most deadly materials on earth. “Spent fuel” rods can cause cancer or genetic damage to an unshielded person who stands next to it after only 30 seconds. It can cause a lethal dose of radiation in just three minutes.

Massive amounts of this waste are stored on site at Limerick in fuel pools and above ground casks. On-site storage presents enormous risks to our entire region. Exelon would like to transport Limerick’s radioactive waste off-site to avoid liability, but transport presents astronomical health and financial risks to us and potentially all Pennsylvania residents.

Transportation of “spent fuel” has been dubbed a “mobile Chernobyl.” Even the DOE acknowledges that accidents will happen. It estimates that radiation releases from just one nuclear transport accident could devastate at least 42 square miles for generations.

Even at low speeds on road or rail, there could be truck or train accidents leading to catastrophic radioactive fires.

Transport is especially dangerous here in Pennsylvania where roads and bridges are “crumbling” (Governor Corbett’s description). Transporting nuclear waste on Pennsylvania’s inadequate infrastructure is simply immoral and unethical. The NRC estimated that just one transport accident or terrorist attack involving nuclear waste could cost the public as much as $2 billion.

Victims along the route would lose their homes, property and possessions. Homeowners insurance would not cover a radiation transport accident. In fact, even without an accident, it was reported that property values have already declined in five states along nuclear waste routes.

Local officials should have the right to say no to radioactive waste transport through their communities. Philadelphia, Bucks County and Falls Township officials have already said “no.” But the right of these officials to say no could be taken away by Harrisburg politicians who are being heavily lobbied by the nuclear industry to overrule local officials.

Transporting Limerick’s waste off site would present unacceptable risks to all Pennsylvania residents. Limerick has far more “spent fuel” on-site than Fukushima, even though Limerick has half the reactors. Once the spent fuel goes off-site, Exelon is no longer liable for it. As soon as it’s off-site we, the people, are required to assume liability for any radiation disaster involving transport.

Don’t let Exelon duck its liability for Limerick’s deadly radioactive waste by transporting it off-site.

Call Pennsylvania state senators and representatives. To protect your property values and homes, urge them to uphold the right of local officials to say “no” to the transportation of high-level nuclear waste (“spent fuel”) on Pennsylvania’s crowded and degraded infrastructure.

For more detailed information on high-level radioactive waste transport go to www.acereport.org, and see #9 “High-Level Radioactive Wastes: A Ticking Time Bomb.”

BETTY AND CHARLIE SHANK
Pottstown

NRC Shamelessly Lied About Limerick Nuclear Plant’s Radiation Releases and Alarming Cancer Rates in Communities Around Limerick

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NRC is mandated to protect public health from Limerick Nuclear Plant Operations. Inexplicably, NRC has not just minimized the consequences of radiation exposure in our region, but actually ignored and avoided the impacts of Limerick Nuclear Plant’s regular radiation releases into the environment of the Greater Philadelphia Region, in Limerick’s DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement.

Radiation exposure to the public is barely mentioned in NRC’s 585 page DRAFT EIS. On the very few pages with any reference, radiation releases and their effects on human health have been inaccurately characterized as minimal or small. Documented evidence of our health crisis refutes NRC’s unsubstantiated claims.

This is NRC’s most harmful lie yet, because it will allow Limerick’s threats and harms to health in the region to continue for decades.

ACE Video Blog Part 4 8-13

NRC IGNORED LIMERICK’S ROUTINE RADIATION RELEASES AND SKYROCKETING CANCER RATES

THE LINK IS CLEAR!

• LIMERICK RELEASES RADIATION

• RADIATION CAUSES CANCER

• CANCER RATES SKYROCKETED AFTER LIMERICK STARTED OPERATING

• CANCERS ARE DOCUMENTED TO BE ELEVATED AROUND MANY NUCLEAR PLANTS, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN

LIMERICK NUCLEAR PLANT’S HARMFUL ROUTINE RADIATION RELEASES INTO OUR ENVIRONMENT HAVE THREATENED OUR HEALTH SINCE OPERATIONS STARTED IN 1985.
YET NRC’S DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) DECEPTIVELY MINIMIZES THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ROUTINE RADIATION EXPOSURE IN OUR REGION. NRC’S EIS CONCLUSIONS ARE NOT CREDIBLE.

NRC’s DRAFT EIS is not responsive to the concerns of residents in our region who are well informed about NRC’s tactics to hide the truth about our radiation exposures from Limerick. We have been exposed to the additive, cumulative, and synergistic impacts of Limerick’s routine radiation releases since 1985. We can’t see it, smell it, taste, it, or feel it. Limerick’s radiation is proven to be in our air, water, soil, vegetation, milk, food, and fish in the Schuylkill River. Research shows we have some of the highest radiation levels in the teeth of our children, even compared to other nuclear plant communities tested.

THE FACTS ARE CLEAR:
­Limerick has been routinely and accidently releasing radiation for the past 28 years.
­It must be concluded that there have been additive, cumulative, and synergistic harmful impacts from all Limerick’s radionuclides released and from all routes of exposure.
­NRC does not acknowledge the large number of radionuclides or levels of them that have been released from Limerick over the past 28 years .
­NRC has no accurate idea of the amount of radiation that Limerick is releasing into our environment, because NRC does NO RADIATION MONITORING or TESTING.
­Exelon, the company with a vested interest in the outcome that has shown it can’t be trusted, controls the entire radiation monitoring, testing, and reporting process.
­Limerick’s radiation releases into our air and water include a broad range of radionuclides that have never been continuously monitored or regularly tested independently by NRC or any other agency.
­Some radionuclides released from Limerick have long half-lives, and their impacts are obviously enormous considering we are exposed from many routes of exposure.
­Yet, NRC negligently ignores Limerick’s radiation impacts in Limerick’s DRAFT EIS .
­Even Exelon’s own deceptive radiation self-testing for Limerick shows many different radionuclides are in our air, water, soil, sediment, milk, and fish.
According to the National Academy of Sciences there is NO SAFE DOSE of radiation exposure. Its BEIR VII report refutes NRC’s unsubstantiated claim that harms from Limerick are “small”.
ACE submitted substantial evidence in 2011 in written public hearing testimony to NRC for Limerick’s DRAFT EIS. We documented our region’s high cancer rates based on PA Cancer Registry data in communities around Limerick. Cancer rates are far higher than the national average.

This evidence of harm should have been alarming, even to NRC. Obviously NRC chose to ignore it.
­NRC’s insistence on repeatedly dismissing obvious harms from Limerick’s routine radiation emissions is unacceptable.
­NRC’s deceptions and denials lead to continued and increasing harms and threats to people from Limerick Nuclear Plant’s radiation and other toxic releases.

NRC routinely inaccurately claims that Limerick’s radiation releases are small and not harmful. But NRC’s claims are based on flawed and outdated theoretical models for radiation exposure.
NRC only measures external doses, and ignore internal doses.

­”Permissible” radiation doses, as defined by NRC, does not mean they are safe. The National Academy of Sciences BEIR VII report said there is no safe dose.
­Dr. John Gofman, once head of AEC’s Lab, raised dire warnings about permitted releases from nuclear plants. He published research showing an estimated 32,000 Americans would die each year from fatal cancers induced by “allowable” radiation releases.
Dr. John Gofman, once head of AEC’s Lab said, “the entire nuclear power program is based on a fraud, that there is a permissible dose that wouldn’t hurt anyone.

CANCER RATES

CANCER INCREASES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY SKYROCKETED AFTER LIMERICK STARTED OPERATING IN 1985 AND ARE DOCUMENTED TO BE FAR HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AND TRI-COUNTY AVERAGES IN SIX COMMUNITIES STUDIED NEAR LIMERICK.

LIMERICK’S RADIATION RELEASES ARE UNDENIBLY A MAJOR FACTOR.
• LIMERICK RELEASES RADIATION
• RADIATION CAUSES CANCER
• CANCER RATES SKYROCKETED AFTER LIMERICK STARTED OPERATING!

ACE PROVIDED NRC WITH DETAILS OF OUR CANCER CRISIS IN 10-26-11 EIS TESTIMONY FOR LIMERICK, YET NRC’S DRAFT EIS FOR LIMERICK FAILED TO INCLUDE THE DATA.

A CANCER CRISIS AROUND LIMERICK NUCLEAR PLANT IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY:
• Four Cancer Reports Using PA Cancer Registry Statistics and CDC Data Show Alarming Increases in Cancer, With Cancer Data Far Above The National and Tri-County Averages, Especially In Children
• ACE Cancer Mapping From Heath Surveys Reveals An Alarming Cancer Crisis

UNDENIABLE LINK – UPWARD TREND IN CHILDHOOD CANCER RATES AFTER LIMERICK STARTED OPERATING IN 1985

Late 1980’s 30 % HIGHER than the NATIONAL AVERAGE
Early 1990’s 60 % HIGHER than the NATIONAL AVERAGE
Late 1990’s 92.5% HIGHER than the NATIONAL AVERAGE
Late 1990’s 100 % HIGHER than the TRI COUNTY AVERAGE

Strontium-90 – An Undeniable Link To Rising Childhood Cancer Rates
• Even Exelon’s 2009 Radiological Report to NRC shows Limerick’s Strontium-90 is in our water, soil, milk, and vegetation
• Strontium-90 testing of our children’s baby teeth shows SR-90 at some of the highest levels in the nation in the teeth of our children.
• Limerick has been releasing SR-90 into our air and water since 1985.
• Children around Limerick have some of the highest levels of SR-90 in their baby teeth.
• It is shameful for NRC to blame decades old bomb testing that was done in the Midwest for SR-90 in the teeth of these children.
• SR-90 evidence serves as a marker to prove Limerick’s radiation is in the bodies of our children.

Documented Cancer Data Provided To NRC By ACE 10-26-11, Should Have Alarmed Even NRC:

• Childhood Cancer Rates Skyrocketed To 92.5 % Higher Than The National Average In Six Communities Close To Limerick Nuclear Plant.
(Pottstown , West Pottrove, Lower Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgove, North Coventry, Douglass Township)

• There Was A 71% Increase In Childhood Cancer Deaths
In Montgomery County, Home of Limerick Nuclear Power Plant
(Deaths from Neoplasms in Children Ages 1 to 14 1981-89 vs. 1990-98)
• Childhood Cancer Deaths In Neighboring Counties, PA, and the U.S. Went Down:
Chester County 29.0% Decrease
Berks County 30.6% Decrease
Pennsylvania 17.1% Decrease
U.S. 21. 2% Decrease

• Cancer Rates In 6 Communities Close to Limerick Nuclear Plant (1995 to 1999) Are Far Higher Than U.S. and Tri-County Averages For 8 of 11 Most Common Cancers In The U.S. (Compared to U.S. and TriCounty Rates)
Lower Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, West Pottsgrove, Pottstown, North Coventry, Douglass Berks

Type of Cancer Above U. S. Above Tri County
 Kidney/Renal Pelvis + 60 % + 42.7 %
 Rectum + 44 % + 13.5 %
 Uterine + 44 % + 38.7 %
 Breast (female) + 39 % + 24.5 %
 Brain/Cent. Nervous System + 38 % + 32.5 %
 Urinary Bladder + 35.5 % + 17.9 %
 Colon + 21 % + 3.3 %
 Lung + 11.8 % + 18.4 %
 Leukemia + 11.5 % + 14.9 %

Limerick’s routine radiation releases must be considered a major factor in these cancer rates which are so much higher than the national and tri-county averages. This refutes NRC’s claims that our cancer rates are high because of better detection methods or life-style choices.

• Cancer Rates In Montgomery County, Home of Limerick Nuclear Plant, increased Dramatically After Limerick Opened
Increases Mid 80s to 90s
 Prostate Increased 132%
 Thyroid Increased 128%
 Kidney Increased 96%
 Multiple Myeloma Increased 91%
 Hodgkin’s Disease Increased 67%
 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Increased 61%
 Breast Increased 61%
 Pancreas Increased 54 %
 Leukemia Increased 48%

THYROID CANCER LINK
After Limerick Nuclear Plant Started Operating in 1985 – In Montgomery County, Home Of Limerick Nuclear Plant
128% INCREASE – 1985-86 to 1996-97 Source: Pennsylvania State Cancer Registry
1998,1999, 2000 – Thyroid Cancer Rate Was About
75% HIGHER – Than U.S. Rate (Also Rising) Source: CDC Website

Thyroid Cancer Rates Are Far Higher Than National Average
In Counties Closest Most Impacted By Limerick Nuclear Plant’s Radioactive Emissions
Montgomery County 56.2 % Higher Than U.S.
Chester County 53.9 % Higher Than U.S.
Berks County 14.6 % Higher Than U.S.
While Berks County is Upwind – It is still higher than the U.S. Average
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov.
Rates adjusted to 2000 U.S. standard population.

Our region’s thyroid cancer rates are horrific, considering they’re above the U.S. average when, U.S. (1980 – 2006) Increased 154.7 % and PA (2001- 2005) Had The Highest Thyroid Cancer Rates In U.S.

THERE ARE UNDENIABLE LINKS TO LIMERICK NUCLEAR PLANT’S RELEASES OF RADIOACTIVE IODINE-131 INTO OUR AIR AND WATER FOR DECADES.
• Limerick Nuclear Plant’s routine Iodine-131 radiation releases into our air and water impact the thyroid.
• Counties Closest and Downwind From Limerick Have Highest Thyroid Cancer Rates.
• Philadelphia Water Had The Highest Iodine-131 Levels In The Nation – Philadelphia Is Only 20 Miles Downstream From Limerick’s Radioactive Discharges.
Research Links Thyroid Cancer And Radiation Emissions From Nuclear Plants.
• Nuclear plants, including Limerick, routinely release radioactive iodine.
• Radioactive iodine attacks the thyroid gland, a fact confirmed by the potassium Iodide pills issued to residents within 10 miles of a nuclear plant to protect the thyroid in case of an accident or terrorist attack.
• Thyroid cancer is one of the most radiation-sensitive cancers.
• Radioactive iodine released from nuclear plants seeks out the thyroid gland and destroys its cells.
THYROID CANCER – An “Epidemic” Around Nuclear Plants
• The 2009 scientific article reported a Thyroid Cancer Epidemic in a small 90-mile radius encompassing eastern PA, central New Jersey, and southern New York, where 16 reactors are located, including Limerick Nuclear Plant.
• The Alliance For A Clean Environment (ACE) is extremely concerned about the shocking thyroid cancer increases and rates above the national average around Limerick Nuclear Plant., Documented statistics show shocking thyroid cancer increases in Montgomery County, home of Limerick Nuclear Plant, since Limerick started operating in the mid 1980′s to the mid 1990′s.
BREAST CANCER LINK
Evidence shows at the same time Breast Cancer Rates were declining around a nuclear plant that closed in California, Breast Cancer Rates in our regions started increasing after Limerick started operating.
Breast Cancer Rates INCREASED 61% In Montgomery County, Home of Limerick Nuclear Plant, After Limerick Started Operating in 1985.
Source: PA Cancer Registry 1985-86 to 1996-97

BREAST CANCER RATES WERE FAR HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN EVERY AGE GROUP IN SIX COMMUNITIES CLOSE TO LIMERICK
(Lower Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, West Pottsgrove, Pottstown, North Coventry, Douglass Berks)

Breast Cancer By Age (diagnosed 1995-1999)
Compared to the National Average (Source: Pa Cancer Registry)

Age % HIGHER than U.S.
0-29 + 15.3 %
30-44 +51.4 %
45-64 + 39.3 %
65+ + 28.6 %

Breast Cancer is an epidemic nationwide, therefore these breast cancer rates near Limerick are so much more alarming because they are so much higher than the national average in every age group. They cannot be explained away by heredity, life-style choices, or better screening. Limerick’s radiation releases into our air and water are clearly a major factor.
Research Links Breast Cancer With Radiation Exposure
• Data from Chernobyl confirms that children exposed to radiation have a greater likelihood of developing breast cancer as adults. Source: Life Extension, 12/04
• John W. Gofman, M.D., Ph.D. “Our estimate is that about three-quarters of the current annual incidence of breast-cancer in the U.S. is being caused by earlier ionizing radiation… Source: “Preventing Breast Cancer” 1995
• “Life’s Delicate Balance” Causes and Prevention of Breast Cancer. Janette Sherman, M.D. Analyzes Links Between Cancer and Radiation and Other Toxics.
• 350 Studies Link Half of Breast Cancers to the Environment. The studies show that half of breast cancers causes are not attributed to Genetic Risk or Lifestyle Choices. Limerick’s radiation releases must be considered a major factor in our region’s extraordinarily high breast cancer rates.

LEUKEMIA LINK

In Six Communities Studied Near Limerick Nuclear Plant
LEUKEMIA was documented to be ALMOST DOUBLE THE STATE AVEARGE (1985 to 1994). (Montgomery County Health Department Study on PA Cancer Registry Statistics).

Leukemia represented the largest number of childhood cancers among the 92.5% childhood cancers rates higher than the national average.
The 15 year leukemia rate is approximately about 40% above the other three county rate. This is a statistically significant difference (p Source: Pennsylvania State Cancer Registry
Research Linking Leukemia to Nuclear Plant Radiation Exposure:
• A review of 17 medical journal articles by researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina showed that child leukemia rates were elevated at all 17 reactors.
• Leukemia death rates in U.S. children near nuclear reactors rose sharply in the past two decades, according to a study published in the European Journal of Cancer Care in 2008.
• Documentation of high leukemia rates in Chernobyl children confirm this link.

BRAIN CANCER IN POTTSTOWN IS SIGNIFCANTLY HIGHERTHAN STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGES OR MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN A 12 MILE RADIUS.

Statistics: PA Department of Health, Bureau of Health Statistics ( 2001, August)
Compiled by: Penn State – Graduate Student Research
Analysis of cancer incidence in PA counties 1994-1998 http://www.health.sate.pa.us/stats

BRAIN/CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM CANCERS
IN THE SIX COMMUNITIES STUDIES CLOSE TO LIMERICK NUCLEAR PLANT.
(Pottstown , West Pottsgrove, Lower Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgove, North Coventry, Douglass Berks Township)
 COMPARED TO NATIONAL AVERAGE: 38.3 HIGHER
 COMPARED TO TRI COUNTY AREA: 32.5 HIGHER
DISASTROUS UPWARD TREND
Brain/Central Nervous System cancer statistics since Limerick Nuclear Plant started operating in 1985.
 1985-89 15 cases
 1990-94 19 cases
 1995-99 23 cases

MANY OTHER CANCER STUDIES IN GERMANY AND ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE, AS WELL AS THE U.S., CONFIRM HIGHER RATES OF CANCER AROUND NUCLEAR PLANTS.
­ JUST ONE EXAMPLE: Cancer Near German Reactors http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/healthprofessionals/first-annual-nw-health-conference-pdfs/day 1/Nussbaum%202.6.09.pdf
­THESE CANCER STUDIES PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CONFIRMATION THAT LIMERICK IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN THIS REGION’S ALARMING CANCER RATES.
CANCER STUDIES ALSO SHOW:
 CANCER RATES ROSE WHEN NUCLEAR PLANTS OPENED
 CANCER RATES DECLINED WHEN NUCLEAR PLANTS CLOSED

EVIDENCE BELOW SHOWS MORE HARM TO OUR CHILDREN AFTER LIMERICK STARTED OPERATING IN 1985.

INFANT and NEONATAL MORTALITY IS FAR HIGHER NEAR LIMERICK THAN THE STATE AVERAGE, AND EVEN HIGHER THAN PHILDELPHIA AND READING.
(State Data – Reported by EPA in 2003).
 Evidence shows when nuclear plants open infant mortality rates go up.
 When nuclear plants close, infant mortality rates go down.

• AUTISM INCREASED 310% (1990 to 2000)

• LEARNING DISABILITIES INCREASED by 94%, OVER DOUBLE THE STATE INCREASE OF 46%. (1990 to 2000)

THE FOLLOWING HEALTH HARMS WERE HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE, AND EVEN HIGHER THAN PHILADELPHIA AND READING
• Malignant Tumors
• Cerebrovascular Disease
• Lower Respiratory Disease
(2003 EPA Report Based on PA Data)

Limerick’s 2009 air pollution permit shows why Limerick’s cooling tower PM-10 air pollution can contribute to increases in cerebrovascular and lower respiratory diseases.

All this evidence shows that a health crisis occurred in our region after Limerick Nuclear Plant started operating in 1985.
• ACE compiled and presented all this evidence to the NRC 10-26-11 in public hearing testimony for NRC’s EIS on Limerick.
• This evidence of our health crisis and its links to Limerick operations should compel NRC to protect public health by closing Limerick now.

For the past 28 years, a broad range of radionuclides (some with long half-lives) have routinely and accidentally been released into our air and water from Limerick Nuclear Plant.

We have been, and will continue to be exposed to the additive, cumulative, and synergistic harmful impacts of Limerick’s radiation through several routes of exposure as long as Limerick operates.

RADIATION RELEASES ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS THREAT TO OUR HEALTH FROM LIMERICK NUCLEAR PLANT.NRC’S DRAFT ENVIORNMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FAILED TO ADDRESS LIMERICK’S RADIATION IN ANY MEANINGFUL WAY.

NRC’S glaring omission of radiation and its enormous threat to our environment and health rises to the level of regulatory malpractice.
 It is shocking that NRC’s DRAFT EIS fails to address radiation exposure and human health impacts in any meaningful way.
­ Radiation exposure to the public is barely mentioned in NRC’s 585 page DRAFT EIS.
­ On the very few pages with any reference, radiation releases and their effects on human health have been shamelessly characterized as minimal or small, clearly an unsubstantiated claim, for which NRC has NO independent evidence. NRC’s claim is NOT CREDIBLE.
­ Even Exelon’s own radiological monitoring reports to NRC show that a broad range of radionuclides are documented to be in our air, water, sediment, fish, and milk.
­ Evidence from independent scientists suggest that NO level of radiation exposure is safe.

NRC is mandated to protect public health from Limerick Nuclear Plant Operations, yet NRC has not just minimized the consequences of radiation exposure in our region, but even ignored the impacts of Limerick Nuclear Plant’s regular radiation releases into the life-support system that impacts human health in the Greater Philadelphia Region, in Limerick’s DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement.

Exposure to Limerick’s radiation is an injustice. We can’t see, smell, taste, or feel it, but it’s everywhere. We can’t avoid it. As long as Limerick Nuclear Plant continues to operate, radiation and other dangerous toxics will be released into our air and water. The additive, cumulative, and synergistic harmful impacts of that will cause more people to suffer needlessly.

NRC could stop unnecessary radiation and other toxic exposures due to Limerick Nuclear Plant operations.

Associated suffering and health care costs due to Limerick operations would be dramatically reduced by closing Limerick if NRC would close Limerick now to protect public health.

AS LONG AS LIMERICK NUCLEAR PLANT OPERATES, RADIATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE RELEASED INTO OUR LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM.

NRC SHOULD REQUIRE LIMERICK TO CLOSE NOW TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR CHILDREN.

HELP CLOSE LIMERICK NOW TO REDUCE RADIATION EXPOSURE AND MINIMIZE RISK FOR CANCER

CONTACT ACE
aceactivists@comcast.net

LEAVE CONTACT INFORMATION AND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT CANCER

ACE Video Blog 3 on the Pattern of Cover-Ups and Lies About Consequences of Radiation Exposure From Nuclear Plant Accidents and Meltdowns

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ACE Video / Blog – Part 3

The Truth and Consequences of Radiation Exposure

From Nuclear Plant Accidents / Meltdowns

Truth and Consequences of Radiation From Meltdowns Must Be Fully Disclosed So That People In The Greater Philadelphia Region Begin To Understand Why More Protective Limerick Nuclear Plant Emergency and Evacuation Planning Is Imperative

· The Pattern of Unethical Deception About Radiation Exposure After Meltdowns Has Created Disastrous Situations, Needlessly Magnifying Harms For Millions.

­ Victims Were Not Evacuated Soon Enough or Far Enough Away From Meltdowns. They Suffered Needlessly.

­ People Failed To Take Precautionary Actions Because They Were Lied To About Radiation Releases.

· Cover-Ups, Lies, and Secrecy About Radiation Releases and Their Consequences From Meltdowns Must Be Revealed – It’s About Ethics, Human Rights, and Minimizing Harms.

· Government and the Nuclear Industry Deceive The Public. They Manipulate Public Opinion To Reduce Opposition to Nuclear Power To Prevent Collapse of the Nuclear Industry.

· Deaths and Harmful Health Impacts Have Been Deliberately Underestimated – Using Dilution, Discounting Internal Radiation Exposure, Ignoring Diseases Other Than Cancer, Using Deceptive Testing and Estimates.

· The Truth About Consequences of Meltdowns Has Been Suppressed and Withheld – Through Worldwide Censorship of Media and Misleading Industry Propaganda That Denies Reality.

Once a Large Amount of Radiation Enters An Ecosystem It Quickly Becomes Widespread, Contaminating Water, Soil, Plants, Animals, and People

· Radiation is invisible – It also can’t be tasted, smelled, or felt by victims.

· Evidence shows radiation from meltdowns contaminates air, water, soil, and food hundreds of miles away from meltdowns.

· As Radiation moves up the food chain, it Bioaccumulates, Bioconcentrates, and Biomagnifies

· Example: Ingestion of foods contaminated with even “low levels” of radioactive cesium leads to bioaccumulation in the liver, kidneys, small intestines, pancreas, spleen, and heart and endocrine tissues.

· Children are most susceptible to effects of radiation on their internal organs.

· There is “NO SAFE RADIATION DOSE” according to The National Academy of Sciences, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and other experts.

People In The Greater Philadelphia Region Must Have Immediate Notification Of A Limerick Nuclear Plant

Radiation Accident or Meltdown With Expanded Evacuation and Ingestion Pathway Zones

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Has Lost All Credibility

NRC’S LUDICROUS DECEPTION

Fukushima was the worst nuclear disaster in history, expected by independent experts to have worse radiation consequences than Chernobyl – estimated to have released radiation 20 times Chernobyl.

Soon after Fukushima’s meltdowns started, many Japanese people far beyond the evacuation zone started showing signs of radiation poisoning, especially children. Related deaths were certified by officials in 13 Prefectures.

Yet, NRC Told 3,000 Nuclear Experts From 34 Countries:

Fukushima Did Not Result In Big Radiation Doses to the General Population. Immediate Health Consequences Were “Very Close To Nothing,” With “Little To No” Long-Term Health Effects.

Probably Met NRC Safety Goals.

NRC Needs New Standards For Fukushima Type Disasters.

How Can We Believe NRC About Anything?

NRC Protects Nuclear Industry Profits At The Expense Of Public Health and Safety

· NRC is failing in its mission to protect public health and safety.

· In spite of credible evidence from Chernobyl and Fukushima meltdowns proving radiation released travels hundreds of miles and has devastating impacts on health, especially for children, and in spite of NRC warning U.S. citizens to evacuate 50 miles from Fukushima, NRC is still denying the need to expand U.S. evacuation zones beyond 10 miles and ingestion pathway zones beyond 50 miles.

· NRC disregards reliable independent scientific research and fails to fully disclose harmful impacts from routine and accidental radiation releases with deceptively designed word-smithing.

NRC is using industry biased studies to deceive the public about actual consequences of radiation exposure from meltdowns.

NRC is refusing to provide more realistic protective planning for Limerick Nuclear Plant and others.

Flawed MIT Study Is Being Used By NRC

To Dismiss The Need For Nuclear Disaster Evacuations

(May 25th, 2012) Previous Study Disputes MIT Claim (Tanaka et al , 2009)

The flawed study discounted credible human data compiled after Chernobyl and Fukushima meltdowns.

MIT Awarded More Than $2 Million in Grants And Fellowships

(May 21, 2012) http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/mit-doe-grants-fellowships.html Nuclear science and engineering

$1.65 million was awarded through grants from the Department of Energy Nuclear Energy University Programs and $450,000 was awarded through graduate student fellowships. “Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability” will develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects by potential stakeholders.

MIT Mouse Radiation Study Is Science Fiction (June 7th, 2012 Video)

See Why MIT’s study is pure science fiction, not fact: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8YFe6Q08M8&feature=em-subs_digest

NRC’s response to Fukushima meltdowns was to ignore reality and arrange for MIT do a selection-bias study, using a 35-day short-term mouse study to make it seem as if impacts from radiation exposure are harmless. The MIT study excluded extensive evidence of genetic damage to humans living in a radiation-contaminated environment. Nineteen groups of Children from Chernobyl showed lasting genetic damage from radiation.

A Radioactive Conflict of Interest (June 25th, 2012)

Having the Energy Department control radiation health research makes as much sense as giving tobacco companies the authority to see if smoking is bad for you.

MIT Confronted With Its Malpractice of Science (June 25, 2012)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-alvarez/mit-radiation-study_b_1623899.html

The MIT Radiation Study Was Confronted With Its Malpractice Of Science. The Study Protocol was flawed. It’s the worst kind of bias, the kind paid to ignore human suffering. “It’s difficult to get someone to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”

MIT Mouse Study Debunked In Journal (November 13th, 2012)

Biased Protocols Included:

· The use of genetically altered FYDR mice for one portion of the study but not the comparison groups.

· The wide range in the numbers of mice used in the comparison groups.

· The time frame was too short (Tanaka paper)

· External radiation was the only radiation studied. Internal radiation was not studied, but presents the bigger risk.

· The study left out crucial information that children may have a 3-fold higher risk for damage from radiation at half the accumulated MIT dose.

Independent Research And Evidence Dispel MIT’s Radiation Deception:

A body of independent research on radiation, as well as evidence from actual meltdowns, reveal the truth and consequences of radiation exposure from nuclear plants like Limerick.

· There is NO safe level of radiation exposure, according to the National Academy of Sciences and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

· Ionizing radiation from nuclear plants damages living things and can contaminate the environment permanently.

· Nuclear Plant radiation mutates genes which can cause genetic damage across generations.

· U.S. and European studies have all shown increases in cancer around nuclear facilities.

· Drastic increases in cancer are documented, especially in children, in communities near Limerick Nuclear Plant and Montgomery County, home of Limerick Nuclear Plant , since Limerick Nuclear Plant started operating in1985. (See ACE Website Download #2: “Cancer – Skyrocketing Increases: Links to Limerick”)

Human Health Consequences Resulting From Radiation Releases After Meltdowns At Fukushima, Chernobyl, and Three Mile Island Have Been Revealed By Independent Research:

· Based on the amount of radiation releases over 1.5 million excess cancers are expected from Fukushima.

· Over 1.5 million excess cancers occurred over 25 years from Chernobyl, “Consequences To People And The Environment” – New York Academy of Science nyas.org/annals

· Partial meltdown at TMI may have caused 50,000 to 100,000 excess deaths. Read: “Deadly Deceit: Low Level Radiation – High Level Cover-up” by Jay Gould and Ben Goldman, 1990

Radiation and Public Health Project Director, Joseph Mangano’s Two Excellent Books Reveal Truth And Consequences About Radiation Exposure

· “RADIOACTIVE BABY TEETH: THE CANCER LINK”

The Only Study Of Radiation Levels In Bodies Of Americans Living Near Nuclear Plants – Includes Data On Limerick Nuclear Plant.

· “MAD SCIENCE: THE NUCLEAR POWER EXPERIMENT”

Includes An Account of Consequences From Nuclear Accidents and Meltdowns, Plus A Point-by-Point Refutation of Pro-Nuke Arguments.

“There Is NO Safe Level Of Radionuclide Exposure Whether From Food, Water, Or Other Sources. PERIOD!”

Dr. Jeff Patterson, Former President of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Said:

Exposure to Radionuclides, like Iodine-131 and Cesium-137, INCREASES Risk of Cancer.”

Radiation Exposure Can Affect The Whole Body

The broad range of radionuclides that are present in radioactive releases from nuclear power plants have been linked to damage to: Bladder, Bone, Brain, Breast, Kidneys, Liver, Lungs, Muscles, Ovaries, Pancreas, Skin, Spleen, Thyroid

Radiation Sickness Symptoms Appear in One to Four Weeks and Can Be Mistaken for Other Illnesses Like the Flu:

· Within the first twenty-four hours, symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, etc.

· Within one to four weeks, symptoms can include dizziness, disorientation, weakness and fatigue, hair loss, bloody vomit and stools, infections, poor wound healing, and low blood pressure.

There Is No Way to Undo Damaging Effects Of Radiation Exposure

To Minimize Exposure

· Time Limit Exposure

· Distance Between You and Radiation

· Shielding Learn About Best Sheltering Procedures

For Radiation Exposure Summaries See: www.acereport.org

#1 Radiation – Limerick’s Routine Releases

#3 Radiation – No Safe dose

#4 Radiation – Reduce Risk

Over 8 Million People Live Within 50 Miles Of Limerick

How Close Do You Live To Limerick Nuclear Plant?

See Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Radiation Plume Map www.nrdc.org

RADIATION EXPOSURE CAN BE MINIMIZED

RELATED TO A LIMERICK ACCIDENT / MELTDOWN

WITH MORE PROTECTIVE UP-FRONT EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION PLANNING

Contact Elected Officials Today To Demand That NRC Require More Protective Emergency Planning Including:

1. Immediate Public Notification By Exelon and NRC

2. Independent Radiation Monitoring With Electronic

Radiation Alert System

3. A 50-Mile Evacuation Zone

4. A 100-Mile Ingestion Pathway Zone

Fukushima and Chernobyl Meltdowns Prove Radioactive Fallout Traveled Far Greater Distances Than 50 Miles. The Radioactive Ingestion Pathway Went Far Beyond 100 Miles.

Facts About Fukushima Fallout:

· Japan’s long-lived radiation contaminated more than 11,500 square miles. (Reported 11-11)

· An area almost the size of Connecticut (some 4,500 square miles) was found to have radiation levels exceeding Japan’s shameful highly inflated allowable radiation limit.

· The radioactively-contaminated exclusion zones surrounding Fukushima cover more than 300 square miles.

Facts About Chernobyl Fallout:

· Evacuations spread over the years as far as 200 miles away from the reactor. Approximately 350,400 people were evacuated from the areas surrounding Chernobyl.

· 80 square miles were declared too radioactive for human habitation and declared a permanent “exclusion” zone.

Yet, Limerick’s Emergency and Evacuation Zone Remains Set At Only 10-Miles. Limerick’s Ingestion Pathway Zone Remains Set At Just 50 Miles. This Is Negligence!

1974 Reactor Safety Study Published by NRC (Referred To As The Rasmussen Report)

· 45,000 Radiation Sickness Cases (Requiring Hospitalization)

· 3,300 Deaths (From Acute Radiation Sickness)

· 45,000 Fatal Cancers (over 50 years)

· 250,000 Non-Fatal Cancers (over 50 years)

· 190 Children Born With Birth Defects Per Year

Note: Non-Insurable Property Damage Was Estimated At $14 Billion

NRC’s Estimated Consequences For An Accident At Limerick Nuclear Power Plant, Reported To Congress In 1982 (Referred to as the CRAC Report):

· 74,000 Early Fatalities

· 610,000 Early Injuries

· 34,000 Cancer Deaths

Census Records From 1980 to 2010 Show That These Numbers Would Be Drastically Higher Today.

This Population Increase Demands Updated Planning.

The Following News Articles and Reports Provide Overwhelming Evidence Of NRC’s Negligent, Ineffective, Unprotective Policies:

· 03/21/11 NRC Increases Estimated “Background” Doses to Radiation Again

· 04/05/11 “NRC’s Pro-Nuke Spin on Evacuation Zones”

· 06/02/11 Some fear U.S. nuclear agency is playing ‘regulatory roulette’

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/06/01/nuclear.plant.regulation/index.html

· 07/29/11 NRC Lowers Estimate of How Many Would Die in Meltdown By Matthew Wald

· 08/30/11 NRC: Update evacuation plans near nuclear plants AP – By Matthew Daly

Article exposes no changes to evacuation zones which have remained frozen at a 10-mile radius around each

plant since they were set in 1978, regardless of aging reactors operating at higher power, risking larger

radioactive releases, and skyrocketing populations around some plants – as high as 4 1/2 times higher.

· 09/11/11 Agencies Struggle To Craft Offsite Cleanup Plan For Nuclear Power Accidents November 10, 2010

http://insideepa.com/Inside-EPA-General/Inside-EPA-Public-Content/agencies-struggle-to-craft-offsite-cleanup-plan- for-nuclear-power-accidents/menu-id-565.html

While no agency is taking responsibility for attempting to clean up after a nuclear disaster, all these agencies ignore or miss the fact that nuclear “accidents” NEVER end. Will they ever admit that a nuclear plant worst case scenario is likely to be just too bad to clean up?

NRC and Industry’s Attempt To Hide The Real Risk From Nuclear Plant Radiation

Bogus Comparisons:

· The nuclear industry and NRC intentionally ignore and deny harms from continuous routine radiation exposure from nuclear plant releases. They repeatedly, absurdly dismiss harm from continuous exposure to over 100 radionuclides routinely discharged from nuclear plants and make bogus comparisons to radiation from sunshine, X-rays, and airplane trips.

· The broad range of nuclear plant radionuclides routinely released cause additive, cumulative, and synergistic internal and external radiation damage. Once in the ecosystem, people living in the region of a nuclear plant cannot avoid these exposures. They cannot see it, taste it, feel it, or smell it.