Infant Cancer Rates near Nuclear Power Plants

In 2008, a German study reported a 60% increase in solid cancers and a 120% increase in leukemias among children living within 5 kilometers of all German nuclear power stations. After reading the study, the German government stated as,
"The present study confirms that in Germany there is a correlation between the distance of the home from the nearest NPP [nuclear power plant) at the time of diagnosis and the risk of developing cancer (particularly leukemia) before the 5th birthday."

After reviewing more studies with the original German study, the author reasons that radionuclides seem to be causing malformations in fetuses in mothers living near nuclear reactors and that might be the cause of the observed high rates of infant leukemias. He argues that embryos and fetuses are more vulnerable to doses and risks from environmental emissions than formerly thought.

Most propaganda from pro-nuclear people say the average radiation near nuclear power plants are as low as or lower than that of other regions. However, this article argues that even ephemeral spikes of nuclide emissions from nuclear power stations would be very dangerous.

Source: Fairlie, I. (2010). Childhood Cancer Near German Nuclear Power Stations. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part C, 28, 1-21. Retrieved from
http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1080/10590500903585366