Health hazard?

A study claims that the death rate of residents of Morgan and six other North Alabama counties is 21 percent higher than it is for those living outside a 50-mile radius of the nuclear powered electric generating facility.

Nowadays the ugly head of a health hazard is apt to pop up anytime, anywhere.

Take the advertisements for medicinal products that appear on the television screen on a regular basis. They promise cures for almost any ailment and come with gushing testimonials from people that claim their benefits. But there’s always a warning to follow. “Before taking this medication you should consult with you family physician. Don’t take it if you’re pregnant, on medication for high blood pressure, suffering from arthritis or feel light-headed after running up a flight of stairs. It’s side effects may include chills, constipation, loss of energy or even lead to death.”

Does the health hazard implied prevent people from going to their doctor or pharmacist and asking for such products. Of course, it doesn’t. Otherwise, why would a pharmaceutical company spend millions of dollars a year to advertise their products.

Fortunately, most of us have the option of weighing both sides of the equation before choosing what medications we take.

But unfortunately there are other health hazards looming nearby over which we have no control.

Radioactive emissions from Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant is one of them, according to the results of a study conducted by the Bellefonte Efficiency & Sustainability Team, which was released last week. The study claims that the death rate of residents of Morgan and six other North Alabama counties is 21 percent higher than it is for those living outside a 50-mile radius of the nuclear powered electric generating facility.

It further states that since Browns Ferry’s startup in the mid-70s the local mortality rate for all causes of death steadily rose from 1.7 to 20.7 percent above the U.S average. Nearly one million people live in the affected area.

This is the kind of news that makes me stand up and take notice. And it makes me wonder if TVA has known all along and kept the secret from us for over 35 years.

Clif Knight is a staff writer for the Hartselle Enquirer.

via Health hazard? | The Hartselle Enquirer.

U.S. senator reveals “truly shocking” information about California nuclear plant — “Restart of San Onofre reactors is now off the table”

San Onofre: Internal letter reveals Edison knew of defects at crippled

reactors but misled federal regulators to get expedited license

Source: Friends of the Earth News Release

Date: May 28, 2013

“Restart is dead”

Sen. Barbara Boxer has released a private 2004 letter from Southern California Edison that reveals the utility knew of major problems in its radically redesigned replacement steam generators at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that could lead to a “disastrous outcome,” but the company knowingly misrepresented its failed design as a “like-for-like” replacement to sidestep a more thorough license review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The leaked letter confirms accusations of the nuclear watchdog group Friends of the Earth. Its release, said the group, means Edison’s restart plan is dead.

“This letter from Edison management is truly shocking,” said Damon Moglen, climate and energy director for Friends of the Earth. “It shows definitively that Edison was more concerned with keeping to a construction schedule and making money than with assuring safe operation of their reactors. It raises serious questions about their honesty and about the NRC’s handling of the San Onofre license.

“The restart of San Onofre reactors is now off the table. No one can possibly argue for the further operation of these crippled reactors when such an experiment places the lives and livelihoods of millions of Southern Californians at risk.” […]

“Friends of the Earth accused them, the ASLB judged them and now Edison has confessed,” said Dave Freeman, former head of the federal Tennessee Valley Authority and senior advisor to Friends of the Earth. “The San Onofre restart plan is now deader than a doornail. It’s over.”

via U.S. senator reveals “truly shocking” information about California nuclear plant — “Restart of San Onofre reactors is now off the table”.