Researchers Find Decline in Cancer After Plant Shutdown

Two researchers have found a significant reduction in cancer in women, Hispanics and children since the closure of the Rancho Seco nuclear reactor project in Sacramento County more than 23 years ago. Here are the details.

* The results of the study titled "Long-term Local Cancer Reductions Following Nuclear Plant Shutdown" has been published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Biomedicine International.

* This is the first long-term study of the full-population health impacts of the closure of a nuclear reactor, according to the study's authors. For the research, the official California Cancer Registry data on cancer incidence for Sacramento County, with a population of about 1.4 million as of 2010, was compared to the incidences in the rest of the state.

* Key findings of the new study include 4,319 fewer cancers over 20 years and declines in cancer incidence in 28 of 31 categories, including women, Hispanics and children.

* The results show declines in cancer for both males and females, though the change was four times greater in females than in males. Among the types of cancer with a significantly decreased frequency were female breast cancer and thyroid.

* Between the years of 1988-94, Sacramento County's child cancer rate dropped 13.6 percent while the rate remained virtually unchanged for the rest of the state, the study found.

* Co-author Janette Sherman, an internist and toxicologist, stated that the closure of the plant "translates into many millions saved in direct medical costs, reduction of productivity lost, and additional savings associated with the value of a human life."

* According to epidemiologist and executive director of the Radiation and Public Health Project Joseph Mangano, co-author, "The need for more knowledge is great, given how many reactors are near major population centers. San Onofre, in southern California, has 8.4 million persons living within 50 miles. Indian Point, in southern New York, has 17.2 million within 50 miles."

* Mangano added that more information is needed about the long-term impact of low-level radiation from both idled and currently operating reactors.

* The results mirror earlier studies conducted over shorter periods of time which also showed declining cancer rates and declining rates of infant mortality two years after the shutdown of nuclear plants in the U.S.

* According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission , the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station, owned by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, began commercial operation in April 1975. In 1989, as the result of a public referendum, the district decided to permanently shut the plant down.

* All 493 spent fuel assemblies from the plant are in dry storage onsite.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/researchers-decline-cancer-plant-shutdown-212200777.html

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